Nigeria, Cameroon, DR Congo and Gabon: All you need to know about Africa’s final route to the 2026 FIFA World Cup | OneFootball

Final African Playoff Set: Four Nations Chase Last 2026 World Cup Spot

Nigeria, Cameroon, DR Congo and Gabon: All you need to know about Africa’s final route to the 2026 FIFA World Cup

With Africa’s 9 direct qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup now confirmed , attention turns to the CAF playoff tournament .. the final chance for one African nation to keep its World Cup dream alive.

Dates & Format

The playoff will be held in Morocco over 2 matchday:

Four teams (the best runners-up from the group stage) will compete in 3 match, single elimination tournament.

The winner will advance to the FIFA intercontinental playoff in March 2026 where 6 team from around the world will battle for the final 2 World Cup spot.

Tournament Structure

The seeding (Teams 1-4)'s based on the FIFA World Ranking released after the Oct international window:

Fixture Schedule

What’s at Stake?

The champion of this mini tournament will represent Africa in the intercontinental playoff facing opponents from Asia, CONCACAF, CONMEBOL and Oceania.

Two of those 6 team will claim the final tickets to the 2026 World Cup.

Key takeaway

For giants like Nigeria & Cameroon, this playoff's second chance at redemption. For Gabon & DR Congo, it’s opportunity to write history.

One of them will keep Africa’s hopes alive when the world gathers in Mar 2026 for the last stop on the road to the World Cup.