2026 World Cup – African playoffs: Gabon's journey in the qualifiers | OneFootball

Gabon’s journey in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers

Gabon/@Gaboneco

Gabon put in a strong campaign during the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, but couldn’t clinch top spot in Group E ahead of Côte d’Ivoire.

The Panthers fought a fierce battle with the Elephants right up to the final matchday. In the end, they had to settle for second place in the group (25 points), just one behind their Ivorian rivals (26 points).

With 8 wins and 22 goals scored over 10 matches, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s teammates will surely regret their defeat to CIV (1-0) in Abidjan and the goalless draw in Franceville (0-0).

With 8 wins, 1 draw, 1 loss, 22 goals scored and 9 conceded, Gabon boasts an impressive record—one that in another group could well have been enough for automatic qualification. They finish as the top-ranked runner-up among the nine groups.

Having never reached a final phase, Gabon must now defeat Nigeria on November 13, and then the winner between Cameroon and DR Congo in the final on November 16, to keep their dream alive and advance to the intercontinental playoffs.