Africa’s representation at the 2026 FIFA World Cup took clearer shape on Tuesday after Ivory Coast, Senegal, and South Africa booked the continent’s final three automatic qualification slots with emphatic victories.
Senegal were the standout performers, thrashing Mauritania 4–0, while reigning African champions Ivory Coast eased past Kenya 3–0, and South Africa matched the scoreline with a comfortable win over Rwanda in Mbombela.
The trio joined Algeria, Cape Verde, Egypt, Morocco, and Tunisia, who had already secured their places at the global showpiece to be co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
Meanwhile, Cameroon, DR Congo, Gabon, and Nigeria kept alive hopes of increasing Africa’s representation to 10 nations after finishing as the four best-ranked runners-up. They will compete in a play-off tournament in Morocco in November, with the winners advancing to intercontinental play-offs in March 2026, where two more World Cup slots will be up for grabs.
In Nouakchott, Sadio Mané struck twice for Senegal — before and after halftime — with Iliman Ndiaye and Habib Diallo also on target as the Teranga Lions finished top of Group B with 24 points, two ahead of DR Congo, who edged Sudan 1–0 courtesy of a Theo Bongonda goal.
In Abidjan, Franck Kessié, Yan Diomande, and Amad Diallo powered Ivory Coast to a comfortable win over Kenya, ensuring they topped Group F with 26 points, one ahead of Gabon.
At Mbombela, Thalente Mbatha, Oswin Appollis, and Evidence Makgopa scored to secure South Africa’s fourth-ever World Cup qualification and first since hosting the tournament in 2010.
South Africa coach Hugo Broos, a former World Cup player for Belgium, described the qualification as “fantastic,” saying it crowned three years of rebuilding for Bafana Bafana.
“We all knew we could do it. We believed in ourselves. We’re going to the World Cup — it’s amazing,” Broos said. “The future looks very bright for South African football.”
Appollis, who was named Man of the Match, said the qualification was a moment of redemption after recent setbacks.“What an amazing feeling for the group,” he said. “We knew well had to win tonight, and we did it together.”
Nigeria’s Super Eagles, who hammered Benin 4–0 in Uyo thanks to a Victor Osimhen hat-trick, will now battle for one of the remaining two slots via the play-offs.
