The Moroccan capital, Rabat, will host the 2026 FIFA World Cup African qualifying play-offs, featuring Nigeria, Gabon, Cameroon, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo), the Confederation of African Football (CAF) confirmed on Wednesday.
Gatekeepers Newsreports that Nigeria will face Gabon in the first semi-final on November 13, in what promises to be a thrilling contest between two star forwards — Victor Osimhen, the Turkey-based striker who netted a hat-trick against Benin Republic earlier this month, and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Marseille.
Osimhen’s goals helped Nigeria edge past Burkina Faso on goal difference to reach the play-offs.
Later that day, Cameroon — Africa’s most experienced World Cup side with eight appearances — will play DR Congo in the second semi-final at a different venue in Rabat. The fixture could see Manchester United striker Bryan Mbeumo feature for Cameroon after his brace against Brighton last weekend.
DR Congo are bidding for a second World Cup appearance, having last featured as Zaire in 1974, when they exited after three defeats, including a 9–0 loss to Yugoslavia.
The winners of the Rabat mini-tournament will progress to the six-nation intercontinental play-offs scheduled for March 2026 at a venue yet to be announced. Two teams from that stage will secure places at the World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Already confirmed for the intercontinental play-offs are Bolivia and New Caledonia, while Iraq or the UAE will represent Asia, and Curaçao and Costa Rica are favourites to claim the Caribbean/Central American slots.
Fixture Schedule (All in Rabat):
• November 13: Gabon vs Nigeria (1600 GMT)
• November 13: Cameroon vs DR Congo (1900 GMT)
• Final: November 17 (1900 GMT)
AFP
