Morocco As Host For 2026 World Cup African Playoffs — Nigeria, Cameroon, Gabon Among Contenders for Final Spot

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially confirmed the venues, dates, and format for the 2026 FIFA World Cup African playoffs, setting up a decisive showdown for Nigeria and three other nations vying for the continent’s final qualification berth.

In a circular sent to all member associations, CAF announced that Morocco — which will also host the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations — will stage the high-stakes playoff tournament.

According to the schedule, the semi-final fixtures will take place on November 13, 2025, while the final is set for November 16, 2025, in Morocco.

The mini-tournament will feature the four best runners-up from the nine African qualification groups after Matchday 10. CAF stated that the October 2025 FIFA World Rankings, to be released on October 23, will determine seeding for the playoff draw.

Under the format, the top-ranked runner-up will face the fourth-ranked, while the second and third teams will clash in the other semi-final. If any match ends in a draw, extra time and penalties will be used to decide the winner. Teams will be allowed five substitutions, with a sixth permitted during extra time.

As of now, Nigeria, Cameroon, Gabon, Burkina Faso, and DR Congo are among the likely contenders for the playoff spots, with the final list to be confirmed after the group stage concludes.

The winner of the playoff tournament in Morocco will advance to the intercontinental playoff in March 2026, where they will face opponents from Asia, South America, Oceania, and Concacaf for Africa’s 10th and final ticket to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Nigeria, who secured their playoff berth with a dominant 4–0 win over Benin, will now await the FIFA rankings and official draw to determine their route — and potential rivals — in the final push for a place at the expanded World Cup.

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