World Cup 2026 qualifying Africa: Dates and format as Nigeria, Cameroon, DR Congo and Gabon face play-offs

Africa’s play-off winners will progress to a six-team intercontinental qualifier, which will be staged from 23-31 March 2026 and will decide the final two sides at next year’s World Cup.

Two nations from the Concacaf (North, Central America and the Caribbean) region and one side from each of the Asian, Oceanian and South American confederations will also be involved.

The six nations will be split into two brackets.

The two highest-ranked sides will be seeded and advance directly to the final in each bracket, with the four lowest-ranked competitors meeting in semi-finals.

The United Arab Emirates and Iraq will play off for Asia’s spot, while Bolivia, representing South America, and New Caledonia, representing Oceania, have already booked their places.

Given Bolivia and New Caledonia are respectively ranked 76th and 150th in the world at present, that boosts the chances of Africa’s representative advancing directly to a final.

The draw for the play-offs, which will be played in single-leg knockout matches, with extra-time and penalties if required, will be held on Thursday, 20 November.