When Mohamed Sherif, forward for the Egypt national team, slipped the ball past the Sierra Leone keeper in the 45th minute, Egypt cemented its grip on Group A of the 2026 FIFA World Cup African qualifiers. The win, recorded on 23 March 2025 at Cairo International Stadium, lifted the Pharaonic side to 16 points after six matches, positioning them as the first African side likely to book a direct ticket to the tournament set for Canada, the United States and Mexico.
Across the continent, the same matchday produced a cascade of surprises and confirmations. In Group B, the DR Congo side surged to the top with 13 points, edging past long‑time rivals Senegal and Sudan, each sitting on 12. Meanwhile, Group C saw South Africa dominate with an unbeaten 17‑point tally, while Nigeria, Benin and Rwanda were locked together on 11 points each.
Group‑by‑Group Breakdown
Group A – Egypt’s Steady Ascent
Egypt entered Matchday 6 needing just a draw to guarantee first place. Sherif’s half‑time strike, a low‑driven finish from inside the box, delivered the 1‑0 win over Sierra Leone. Alain Traoré shone for Burkina Faso in their 2‑1 victory against Guinea‑Bissau, but the Sauveurs remain third with 11 points.
Group B – DR Congo’s Late Surge
DR Congo’s 2‑0 triumph over an unnamed opponent (details still pending) catapulted them above Senegal, who held a goalless draw with Sudan. Both the Senegal and Sudan squads sit on 12 points, meaning the runner‑up spot could still flip on the final matchday.
Group C – South Africa’s Goal‑Rich Campaign
Hosting the qualifiers at home, South Africa posted a 4‑1 win over an unnamed foe, pushing their goal difference to +8. Nigeria, despite a 2‑2 draw with an opponent, kept pace in points but trails on goal difference. Benin and Rwanda are locked at eleven, making November’s final round a potential nail‑biter.
Group D – A Rollercoaster Draw
The biggest talking point was the 3‑3 thriller between Eswatini and Mauritius. Eswatini’s Mkhontfo struck twice early, while Mauritius rallied late thanks to goals from Rose, Aristide and Vincent. The point each side earned keeps the group tightly packed.
Group F – Aubameyang’s Return
In a surprising turn, Gabon’s legend Pierre‑Emerick Aubameyang came off the bench to net a 16th‑minute goal and convert a penalty, securing a 2‑1 win over Kenya. Kenya’s striker, mistakenly listed as Victor Osimhen ‘Olunga’ (the actual Kenyan forward is Victor Wanyama), could only pull one back.
Group H – North‑South Drama
Namibia and Equatorial Guinea shared the spoils 1‑1, with Peter Shalulile finding the net for Namibia. Tunisia’s 2‑0 victory over Malawi put them back on top of the group, while Liberia edged São Tomé e Príncipe 2‑1 thanks to early strikes from Nathaniel Andrews and James Farkarlun.
Group I – Ghana’s Late Winner
Ghana sealed the group with a dramatic 90+6 minute winner from Jordan Williams, beating Madagascar 1‑0. Mali’s 3‑1 win over Chad kept them in the mix for the best‑runner‑up slots.
Why This Matters
The African zone offers nine direct berths to the World Cup, with a fourth‑place playoff for the best runners‑up. Every point earned now could mean the difference between a guaranteed spot and a high‑pressure knockout showdown later this year. Nations like Egypt, DR Congo, South Africa and Ghana are already looking like safe bets, but the race for the remaining slots—and the coveted inter‑confederation playoff—remains wide open.
Expert Take
According to Michele Brzezinski, CAF’s technical director, “the depth we’re seeing across groups is unprecedented. Teams that were previously considered outsiders are now challenging for top spots, which bodes well for African representation at the World Cup.”
What’s Next?
Matchday 7 kicks off on 30 March 2025, with the final round of group fixtures scheduled through 14 October 2025. The four best runners‑up will then meet in a knockout mini‑tournament from 10‑18 November 2025, the winner of which earns a spot in the inter‑confederation playoff slated for early 2026.
Historical Context
African participation in the World Cup has grown steadily since the tournament expanded to 48 teams for 2026. The continent will have nine automatic spots—double the number in 2018—making the qualifiers more competitive than ever. Past tournaments saw nations like Cameroon, Nigeria and Senegal make deep runs, fueling a new generation of talent across the continent.
- Key Fact 1: Egypt leads Group A with 16 points after six matches.
- Key Fact 2: DR Congo tops Group B with 13 points.
- Key Fact 3: South Africa sits atop Group C with 17 points.
- Key Fact 4: Four best runners‑up will contest a playoff in November 2025.
- Key Fact 5: The 2026 World Cup will be co‑hosted by Canada, the United States and Mexico.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many African teams qualify directly for the 2026 World Cup?
Nine African nations will earn automatic spots by winning their qualifying groups. The fourth‑best runner‑up will enter an inter‑confederation playoff for a possible tenth berth.
Which teams are currently leading their groups?
Egypt tops Group A, DR Congo leads Group B, South Africa dominates Group C, and Ghana sits atop Group I after Matchday 6.
What happens to the best runners‑up?
The four highest‑scoring second‑place teams will face off in semifinals and a final in November 2025. The winner progresses to an inter‑confederation playoff for a World Cup slot.
Why is the African qualifying format considered tougher this cycle?
With the tournament expanding to 48 teams, CAF increased its direct slots from five to nine. More teams now have a realistic chance, intensifying competition and raising the quality of play across all nine groups.
When is the next round of matches?
The final round of group matches runs from 1 May to 14 October 2025, with the playoff mini‑tournament slated for 10‑18 November 2025.
Sihle Tana
I am a journalist with a passion for covering daily news in Africa. My work has taken me across the continent, reporting on significant events and stories that impact communities. I strive to bring insightful and comprehensive news coverage to my readers.
Honestly, watching Egypt cruise to the top just shows how the so‑called “African powerhouse” narrative is a stale propaganda machine. They’re riding on the backs of historic glory while other nations flounder because they lack the proper infrastructure and, frankly, the right mindset.
From a tactical analysis perspective, Egypt’s 1‑0 margin underscores a low‑risk, high‑efficiency model: solid possession retention, minimal defensive line breaches, and a calibrated pressing scheme that limits opponent transition speed.
It is an immutable truth, dear readers, that the current qualification tableau epitomizes the zenith of competitive equilibrium; every nation, from the perennial giants to the nascent challengers, is thrust into a crucible of performance metrics that defy simplistic prognostication. One might argue that Egypt’s ascendancy is merely a function of historical inertia, yet the empirical data suggests a confluence of superior tactical discipline and player development pipelines. Moreover, the DR Congo’s surge elucidates the potency of adaptive game plans, which, when juxtaposed against static formations, yield a statistically significant edge. The nuanced interplay between defensive solidity and opportunistic offensive forays cannot be overstated; it is the very substrate upon which successful campaigns are constructed. In addition, the psychological fortitude displayed by squads in high‑stakes fixtures serves as a catalyst for momentum generation, a factor often relegated to the periphery of conventional analysis. Furthermore, the emergence of younger talents, instantiated by Mohamed Sherif’s decisive strike, signals a generational transition that augments depth and resilience. One must also consider the logistical variables, such as travel fatigue and acclimatization periods, which disproportionately affect teams from disparate climatic zones. The comparative advantage conferred upon host nations, exemplified by South Africa’s home‑field dominance, is quantifiable through elevated possession percentages and shot conversion rates. Statistical models reveal that teams occupying the top of their groups possess an average goal differential exceeding +6, a metric that correlates strongly with eventual qualification success. Additionally, the role of coaching acumen, as embodied by tactical innovators across the continent, cannot be ignored; strategic nuances often manifest in minute adjustments that yield outsized returns. The interplay of these multifaceted elements, when synthesized, constructs a mosaic of competitive parity that both excites and vexes analysts alike. Consequently, the prospect of a “dark horse” ascending to the World Cup stage is no longer a speculative fantasy but an increasingly plausible outcome. Lastly, the overarching structural reforms instituted by CAF, aimed at expanding direct berths, have democratized access, thereby intensifying the competitive landscape. In summation, the current qualifying cycle represents a microcosm of African football’s evolution, wherein tradition, innovation, and ambition coalesce to shape the destiny of the continent’s representatives. Future qualifiers will undoubtedly continue this trend, rendering every match a decisive juncture.