The African qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup saw a shake-up on Thursday as Benin, Cape Verde, Gabon, and Mozambique surged to the top of their respective groups, challenging traditional football powerhouses.
With the qualification race nearing its halfway point, Nigeria’s Super Eagles are under pressure to assert dominance and secure their spot for North America 2026.
Cape Verde took charge of Group D after Yannick Semedo’s last-minute strike secured a 1-0 victory over Mauritius, pushing them to 10 points, ahead of Cameroon (9 points).
Mozambique capitalised on Uganda’s defensive blunders and a red card, clinching a 3-1 win in Cairo. With four wins in five games, Mozambique now holds a three-point lead over Algeria, who play Botswana on Friday.
In Group C, Benin briefly topped the standings after a 2-2 draw against Zimbabwe, though they squandered a two-goal advantage. Veteran Knowledge Musona nearly secured a stunning win for Zimbabwe, but Benin goalkeeper Marcel Dandjinou made a crucial.
Gabon now leads Group F after Denis Bouanga’s brace powered them to a 3-0 win over Seychelles. Meanwhile, Namibia edged Malawi 1-0 in Group H, staying within reach of leaders Tunisia, who defeated Liberia on Wednesday.
Nigeria’s Super Eagles face mounting pressure to secure a qualification spot, following a sluggish start in their campaign. Currently trailing behind emerging group leaders, Nigeria must capitalize on upcoming fixtures to regain control of their group and avoid an upset.
With Africa set to send a minimum of nine teams to the 2026 World Cup, Nigeria’s qualification chances remain intact, but they must overcome inconsistencies and take advantage of upcoming matches.
The qualifiers continue on Friday, with 11 crucial matches across the continent. As teams battle for supremacy, Nigeria’s Super Eagles will need a tactical overhaul to reassert dominance and avoid missing out on the expanded World Cup format.
With rising teams proving their strength, the road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup is proving to be one of Africa’s most unpredictable qualification campaigns yet.