Overview:
Only the group winners are assured of a spot at the 2026 finals in the United States, Mexico and Canada, but the second-placed side could still have a chance to reach the tournament via African and intercontinental play-offs.
Five spots are up for grabs on the grand finale of the 2026 Fifa World Cup qualifiers in Africa as groups B, C, D, F and I remain undecided following results on match day nine.
Senegal, Benin, Ghana, Cape Verde and Ivory coast have destiny in own hands
In Group B, Senegal’s Lions of Teranga and DR Congo’s Leopards beat South Sudan 5-0 and Togo 1-0 respectively.
Goals from Ismail Sarr (brace), Sadio Mane, Cherif Ndiaye and Nicholas Jackson sealed a humbling victory for the 2002 quarter finalists to stay top of the group with 21 points.
Cedric Bakambu lone strike against Togo ensured that DR Congo kept the Lions of Teranga in sight with 19 points.
In the last group matches, Senegal host Mauritania while DR Congo host Sudan.
In Group C, wins for Nigeria against Lesotho and Benin versus Rwanda away from home coupled with South Africa’s draw against Zimbabwe left the group wide open as the three are still in contention for the top spot.
William Trost Ekong and debutant Akor Adams netted for the Super Eagles in their 2-1 victory over Lesotho with Hlompho Kalake getting the consolation for the hosts.
In Kigali, Tosin Ayegun netted the winning goal against Rwanda’s Amavubi to take control of proceedings in the group.
South Africa were held to a goalless draw by the Warriors of Zimbabwe which left them in second place, now two points off the top.
Nigeria host Benin in the final round of games on Tuesday and will leapfrog their West African rivals if they win by a two-goal margin.
However, South Africa could yet finish above both sides if they win their home game against Rwanda.
If the Nigeria-Benin game ends in a draw then Bafana Bafana will qualify with a win by three goals or more. South Africa will also seal top spot if they win and the Super Eagles take all three points from the derby in Uyo.
There was a goal galore in group F with both leaders Ivory Coast and Gabon winning their respective matches 7-0 and 4-3 away to Seychelles and 7-0 to The Gambia respectively.
Pierre Emerick Aubameyang scored four goals before he was sent off later but the Panthers stay second with 22 points, one adrift of The Elephants in first place.
Ivory Coast host Kenya while Gabon take on Burundi in the final matches on Tuesday October 14.
Ghana and Madagascar will also head into the final matches neck to neck with the Black Stars in control and need to match Madagascar’s result in the last fixtures.
Only the group winners are assured of a spot at the 2026 finals in the United States, Mexico and Canada, but the second-placed side could still have a chance to reach the tournament via African and intercontinental play-offs.
