Everything to Know on 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers

The journey to the 2026 FIFA World Cup co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada is nearing its climax.

Qualification began on October 12, 2023, when Myanmar’s Lwin Moe Aung scored the very first goal in a 5–1 win over Macau during the Asian qualifiers.

Now, with qualification nearly complete across all confederations, 19 of the 45 spots (excluding the three host nations) have already been confirmed.

So far, 19 teams have officially booked their spots alongside hosts United States, Mexico, and Canada.

Africa’s World Cup Race: Seven Tickets Up for Grabs

Africa’s qualifiers (CAF) have reached their most dramatic stage, with six of nine automatic slots already sealed. The qualified nations so far are:

• Morocco,
• Tunisia,
• Egypt,
• Algeria,
• Ghana, and
• Cape Verde.

The continent’s format gives nine direct spots plus one intercontinental playoff place. With Eritrea’s withdrawal, 53 nations were divided into nine groups; eight groups of six and one of five teams.

Only group winners qualify directly, while the four best second-placed teams enter the CAF playoffs in November 2025, to be played on neutral ground in Morocco.

Cape Verde Make History; Qualifies for First Ever FIFA World Cup 

Cape Verde have made history by qualifying for their first-ever FIFA World Cup after a resounding 3-0 victory over Eswatini on Monday, sealing top spot in Group D of the African qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup.

The archipelago nation, home to just over 525,000 people, becomes the second smallest country by population ever to qualify for the global competition after Iceland, who reached the 2018 edition in Russia.

Goals That Shook the Islands

Playing before a sold-out home crowd, the Blue Sharks rose to the occasion in a match that carried the hopes of an entire nation.

Dailon Livramento opened the scoring in the 48th minute. Six minutes later, Willy Semedo doubled the lead with a composed finish, sending the home fans into raptures.

Defender Stopira capped off the night in stoppage time, ensuring a memorable 3-0 victory that will forever be etched in Cape Verdean football history.

Tickets for the decisive match were sold out in record time, and the Cape Verdean government even declared a half-day national holiday to allow citizens to witness the potentially historic moment.

When the final whistle blew, celebrations erupted across the capital Praia and the islands of São Vicente and Sal. Streets were filled with dancing, drumming, and the sound of car horns as fans proudly waved their national flags.

FIFA President Infantino Hails “Historic Moment”

FIFA President Gianni Infantino was among the first to send his congratulations message in Portuguese after the game:

“What a historic moment. Congratulations to everyone in Cape Verde for making it to the FIFA World Cup for the first time,” Infantino said.

“Your flag will fly and your anthem will be heard at the greatest FIFA World Cup ever. Thanks to this historic feat, your national team will feature in at least three of the 104 games.

“Your work and your development in football in recent years have been incredible, and this is a moment in which your stars will become global and will propel a new generation of football lovers across Cape Verde.”

Cameroon Miss Out For Now

Cape Verde’s triumph came at the expense of Cameroon, who were held to a frustrating 0-0 draw at home by Angola.

That result left the Indomitable Lions four points behind the Blue Sharks, ending their hopes of topping the group.

However, Cameroon could still qualify as one of the four best runners-up, who will contest a mini play-off tournament in November.

The winner of that play-off will represent Africa in FIFA’s intercontinental play-off, joining teams from Asia, CONCACAF, South America, and Oceania in a bid for one of the final World Cup slots.

Group D Final Standings

Qualified Nations (19 of 45 Confirmed)

Asia (AFC)

Oceania (OFC)

South America (CONMEBOL)

• Argentina

• Brazil

• Uruguay

• Ecuador

• Colombia

• Paraguay

Africa (CAF)

• Morocco

• Tunisia

• Egypt

• Algeria

• Ghana

• Cape Verde

Upcoming Decisions in October

Europe (UEFA)

Concacaf (North/Central America)

Asia (AFC)

Africa (CAF)

CAF (Africa) 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers Overview

Slots: 9 automatic + 1 intercontinental playoff
Format: 9 groups; each group winner qualifies.

Teams Already Qualified (6/9)

1. Morocco 

2. Tunisia 

3. Egypt 

4. Algeria 

5. Ghana 

6. Cape Verde (first-ever historic qualification)

CAF Group Summaries

Group A

Group B

Group C (Most Complicated Group)

• Benin (17 pts, +5 GD) – (Qualify if they beat Nigeria)

• South Africa (15 pts, +3 GD) – (Need a big win vs Rwanda and favorable results)

• Nigeria (14 pts) – (Must beat Benin; complex head-to-head and fair play tiebreakers may apply)

Group D

Group E

Group F

Group G

•  Algeria (Qualified)

•  Uganda (18 pts) – (Need result vs Algeria to reach playoffs)

•  Mozambique (15 pts) – (Slim chance, need massive goal swing)

Group H

Group I

Ranking of Second-Placed Teams (as of latest results)

CAF Playoff Format (Round 2)

• Four best runners-up advance to playoffs (two semifinals, one final).

• Venue: Neutral ground, Morocco (November 2025).

• Seeding: Based on FIFA World Ranking (October 2025) –

• Winner proceeds to Intercontinental Playoff (March 2026).