The 2026 World Cup Africa qualifiers have reached a fever pitch. For one of Africa’s ten valued spots in the 2019 FIFA World Cup, 54 countries spread over the continent are involved in high-stakes battles. Matchday 5 brought a new wave of drama, from tactical masterclasses to last-minute goals; Matchday 6, planned from March 23–25, promises even more turmoil.

As giants stumble and dark horses rise, here’s a breakdown of where each group stands—and the defining fixtures that will shape Africa’s path to North America.

Group A: Pharaohs Ascendant

With a calculated 2-0 away victory against Ethiopia, Egypt moved to 13 points and strengthened its position in Group A.  The Pharaohs are on track for early qualification with Mohamed Salah’s front-line direction.  Their following challenge, which is to host Sierra Leone, offers a chance to finalize the agreement.

Group A Standings

• Egypt: 13 pts
• Burkina Faso: 8 pts (+5)
• Sierra Leone: 8 pts (+1)
• Guinea-Bissau: 6 pts (-1)

While Guinea-Bissau hangs onto playoff aspirations, Burkina Faso and Sierra Leone are neck-and-neck, fighting for second.

Group B: A Tightrope Walk

The unexpected Group B surprise, Sudan, kept Senegal to a goalless draw, hence maintaining their slim advantage at the top. Though the Democratic Republic of Congo (10 pts) waits with purpose, they still have 11 points to stay in charge

Upcoming Fixtures

• Sudan vs South Sudan
• Senegal vs Togo
• DRC vs Mauritania

Togo, on just four points, faces elimination unless they spring a major upset.

Group C: South Africa and Nigeria Jostle for Momentum

Group C is delicately poised. With 10 points, South Africa is in front; however, Benin (8), Rwanda (7), and Nigeria (6) are all close behind.  Strong play against Rwanda helped Nigeria resume their campaign; now they face Zimbabwe, a must-win to remain competitive.

Key Match—South Africa vs Benin in Group C Battle

This could well decide the group winner, especially if Nigeria continues its upward trajectory.

Group D: Cape Verde Emerges from the Shadows

Paired with a stalemate between Libya and Angola, Cape Verde’s 1-0 victory over Mauritius helped them to the top. Uncharacteristically flat in a 1-1 tie with Eswatini, Cameroon currently finds themselves second.

Group D Standings Snapshot

• Cape Verde: 10 pts
• Cameroon: 9 pts
• Libya: 8 pts (+1)
• Angola: 7 pts (+1)

This group remains one of the most volatile, with four contenders separated by just three points.

Group E: Morocco’s March Toward North America

Morocco has been imperious. Though it was not spectacular, their 2-1 win over Niger was sufficient to maintain their flawless record of four victories. Their match against Tanzania might make them the first African team to qualify with 12 points and a +10 goal differential.

Top Three Teams in Group E

• Morocco: 12 pts
• Niger: 6 pts
• Tanzania: 6 pts (one game in hand)

Another win could secure Morocco’s ticket to the 2026 World Cup.

Group F: Ivory Coast and Gabon Lock Horns

Group F is shaping into a two-horse race. Ivory Coast (13 pts) leads Gabon (12 pts) by a whisker. Matchday 6 sees both sides facing lesser-ranked opponents—Gambia and Kenya. But all eyes are on their head-to-head in Matchday 8.

Player to Watch: Sébastien Haller

With four goals, Haller remains pivotal to Ivory Coast’s campaign and could prove the difference in crunch moments.

Group G: Algeria and Mozambique on a Collision Course

Tied at 12 points, Algeria leads on goal difference (+6 vs. +3) over Mozambique. On Matchday 6, they will face off in a battle probably to determine the group’s top position.

Group G Mid-Table

• Guinea: 7 pts
• Botswana: 6 pts
• Uganda: 6 pts

While still mathematically in the race, the rest face an uphill climb.

Group H: Tunisia Leads, Namibia Follows

Rising steadily, Tunisia edged Liberia 1-0 to sit on 13 points. With 11 points following a vital victory against Malawi, Namibia is barely behind. With both teams in form, the final group matches will determine who earns the direct ticket.

Group H Hopefuls

• Liberia: 7 pts (+2)
• Malawi: 6 pts (0)
• Equatorial Guinea: 6 pts (-4)

Group I: Ghana Surges Past Comoros

With 12 points, Ghana’s 5-0 thrashing of Chad pushed them to the top of Group I. While Madagascar (10 pts) remains in the chase, Comoros struggled against Mali. Ghana faces a real test against the resurgent Madagascar squad.

Group I Top Three

• Ghana: 12 pts
• Madagascar: 10 pts
• Comoros: 9 pts

The Road Ahead: Path to the Playoffs

Matchday 6 concludes on March 25. The stakes? Immense. Only the group winners earn direct qualification to the World Cup. The top four runners-up will fight in a high-stakes playoff come November 2025 to determine Africa’s tenth entrant.

Historical Context: African Teams in the World Cup

Africa’s legacy at the World Cup has evolved from mere participation to global disruption. From Cameroon’s quarterfinal run in 1990 to Morocco’s historic semifinal in 2022, the continent now demands respect on the world stage.

CAF’s Challenge in 2026

With FIFA expanding the World Cup to 48 teams, Africa now holds ten slots—a leap forward, but competition remains fierce. Teams must not only win matches but win big to hedge against goal-difference tie-breakers.

Conclusion: More Than Just a Game

The 2026 World Cup Africa qualifiers have become more than a competition—they are a canvas for national pride, tactical evolution, and the dreams of a continent. Matchday 6 may well rewrite expectations, redraw battle lines, and redefine destinies.

Stay with us as the road to North America unfolds. Because in Africa, qualification is never just about the game—it’s about legacy.