The Super Eagles of Nigeria are set to face Gabon in the semi finals of the African section of the 2026 FIFA World Cup play offs, following the completion of the qualifying group matches on Tuesday.
Nigeria earned their place in the play offs after a commanding four nil victory over Benin Republic earlier in the day. Gabon also secured their qualification after finishing second in Group F with a two nil triumph over Burundi, aided by Ivory Coast’s convincing win against Kenya which sealed the group leadership.
In other results, DR Congo advanced with a narrow one nil victory over Sudan to finish runners up in Group B behind Senegal, while Cameroon claimed second position in Group D behind Cape Verde.
The play offs will feature the four best runners up from the nine African qualifying groups and will take place in Morocco from November 13 to 16. Nigeria, expected to remain the highest ranked African team among the four when FIFA releases its updated rankings on October 23, will face Gabon, who stand as the lowest ranked side among the qualifiers.
Cameroon and DR Congo will contest the other semi final, with both matches scheduled for November 13. The winners will meet in a single leg final three days later to decide who advances to the next stage.
The overall victor will progress to the inter confederation play offs in March 2026 for a chance to secure a place at the World Cup finals in Canada, Mexico and the United States.
All fixtures in the mini tournament will be single leg encounters, with the Confederation of African Football set to confirm the exact venues. If a match ends in a draw after regulation time, thirty minutes of extra time will be played, followed by a penalty shoot out if necessary.
Morocco will host the tournament, which offers Africa an additional opportunity to earn a spot in the expanded forty eight team World Cup. All nine African group winners have already booked their direct tickets to the finals, while the play offs will determine whether the continent secures one more representative through the inter continental route.
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