The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has confirmed that Morocco will host the final playoff tournament to determine Africa’s last representative for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The mini-tournament, featuring four teams, will be held in the Moroccan capital, Rabat, from November 13 to 16, 2025.
Four Teams, One Ticket
CAF revealed that Nigeria, Cameroon, Gabon, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) — all runners-up from their respective qualifying groups — will compete for one remaining continental playoff spot.
The winner of the Rabat tournament will advance to the inter-continental playoff in March 2026, where they will battle for a place at the expanded 48-team FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Fixtures and Kick-off Times
According to CAF, both semi-final matches will take place on Thursday, November 13, at two venues in Rabat — the El Barid Stadium and the Prince Moulay El Hassan Sports Complex.
* Semi-Final 1: Nigeria vs Gabon — *17:00 local time (16:00 GMT)
* Semi-Final 2: Cameroon vs DR Congo — *20:00 local time (19:00 GMT)
The final is scheduled for Sunday, November 16, at the Prince Héritier Moulay El Hassan Stadium, with kick-off set for 20:00 local time (19:00 GMT).
The semi-final venue allocation will be determined by a draw on October 30.
Neutral Venue for Fair Play
CAF’s decision to stage the mini-tournament in Morocco marks a strategic move to ensure neutrality and high-quality facilities.
The North African nation, known for its world-class football infrastructure, will host all matches under a single-city format — a departure from the traditional home-and-away playoff system.
The centralised format aims to provide a fair, controlled environment while simplifying logistics and broadcast arrangements.
High Stakes and High Pressure
With only one slot available, the stakes could not be higher. Traditional heavyweights Nigeria an Cameroon will seek redemption after missing out on direct qualification, while Gabon and DR Congo are eager to upset the hierarchy and make history.
For all four teams, the equation is simple: win two matches or miss the World Cup.
Africa’s Final Push
Africa is guaranteed nine automatic slots for the 2026 World Cup, but this playoff presents a rare opportunity for a tenth team to join via the inter-continental route.
The eventual African playoff champion will face a team from another confederation in a one-off match in March 2026.
What’s Next
The draw to assign the semi-final venues will take place on October 30.
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CAF officials are expected to release further details on team logistics, officiating crews, and broadcast partners in the coming weeks.
With World Cup dreams on the line, all eyes now turn to Rabat — where four nations will clash for one last ticket to global football’s grandest stage.
