FULL FIXTURES: Race For 2026 FIFA World Cup Heats Up As African Teams Battle For Qualification

 

As the battle for places in the 2026 FIFA World Cup intensifies, African teams are set to return to action for crucial matchdays 5 and 6 in the qualifiers, beginning on Wednesday, 19th March.

With each game carrying immense significance, teams across the continent will be looking to strengthen their positions in the race to secure a spot in the tournament, set to hold in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

A total of nine group winners will earn automatic qualification, while the four best runners-up will enter a playoff for a possible intercontinental slot.

With tight battles unfolding in each group, the coming fixtures are expected to be fiercely contested.

Group A: Egypt Looks to Extend Lead

Egypt, the most successful African side in World Cup history, currently sits atop Group A with 10 points, leading Guinea-Bissau (6 points), Burkina Faso (5 points), and Sierra Leone (5 points). Ethiopia (3 points) and Djibouti (1 point) remain at the bottom. The Pharaohs will seek to consolidate their advantage when they face Ethiopia on 21st March.

Group B: Sudan and Senegal Set for Showdown

Sudan leads Group B with 10 points, followed closely by Senegal (8 points) and DR Congo (7 points). The group’s most anticipated clash sees Sudan take on defending African champions Senegal on 22nd March.

Group C: South Africa, Rwanda, and Benin in Tight Race

Group C remains unpredictable, with Rwanda, South Africa, and Benin all tied on 7 points. Nigeria, surprisingly struggling in 5th place with just 3 points, faces a must-win match against Rwanda on 21st March.

Group D: Cameroon Faces Tough Challenge

Cameroon leads Group D with 8 points but faces stiff competition from Libya and Cape Verde, both just a point behind. The Indomitable Lions will take on Eswatini on 19th March before clashing with Libya on 25th March in what could be a decisive encounter.

Group E: Morocco in Command Despite Off-Field Drama

Morocco, sitting comfortably atop Group E with 9 points from 3 games, remains unaffected by the disqualification of Eritrea and Congo’s suspension. The Atlas Lions will take on Niger on 21st March.

Group F: Ivory Coast in the Driver’s Seat

Ivory Coast leads Group F with 10 points, followed by Gabon (9 points) and Burundi (7 points). The Elephants will take on Burundi on 21st March before facing Gambia on 24th March.

Group G: Algeria and Mozambique Neck-and-Neck

Algeria and Mozambique are level at the top with 9 points each, while Botswana, Guinea, and Uganda remain within reach with 6 points each. Algeria will face Botswana on 21st March in a fixture that could determine the group’s leadership.

Group H: Tunisia Eyes Early Qualification

Tunisia remains undefeated in Group H with 10 points, ahead of Namibia (8 points) and Liberia (7 points). The Carthage Eagles will meet Liberia on 19th March before facing Malawi on 24th March.

Group I: Ghana and Comoros Battle for Top Spot

Ghana and Comoros are level at the top of Group I with 9 points, while Madagascar (7 points) and Mali (5 points) trail behind. The Black Stars’ next fixture against Chad on 21st March will be crucial to their qualification hopes.

Best-Ranked Second-Placed Teams in the Playoff Race

With only four runner-up teams advancing to an intercontinental playoff, Ghana, Gabon, Mozambique, and Senegal are currently in pole position. Namibia and South Africa are also in contention, hoping for favourable results in the coming games.

FULL MATCHDAY 5 & 6 FIXTURES

Matchday 5 (All times GMT)

March 19 (Wednesday)

Group D: Eswatini v Cameroon (16:00)

Group H: Liberia v Tunisia (16:00)

Group I: Central African Republic v Madagascar (16:00)

March 20 (Thursday)

Group A: Sierra Leone v Guinea-Bissau (16:00)

Group C: Zimbabwe v Benin (16:00)

Group D: Cape Verde v Mauritius (16:00), Libya v Angola (19:00)

Group F: Gabon v Seychelles (19:00), Gambia v Kenya (19:00)

Group G: Mozambique v Uganda (13:00)

Group H: Malawi v Namibia (16:00)

Group I: Comoros v Mali (21:00)

March 21 (Friday)

Group A: Burkina Faso v Djibouti (16:00), Ethiopia v Egypt (21:00)

Group B: DR Congo v South Sudan (16:00)

Group C: South Africa v Lesotho (16:00), Rwanda v Nigeria (16:00)

Group E: Niger v Morocco (21:30)

Group F: Burundi v Ivory Coast (19:00)

Group G: Botswana v Algeria (13:00), Guinea v Somalia (21:00)

Group H: Equatorial Guinea v Sao Tome e Principe (13:00)

Group I: Ghana v Chad (19:00)

March 22 (Saturday)

Group B: Togo v Mauritania (16:00), Sudan v Senegal (19:00)

Matchday 6

March 23 (Sunday)

Group D: Eswatini v Mauritius (13:00)

Group F: Kenya v Gabon (13:00)

March 24 (Monday)

Group A: Guinea-Bissau v Burkina Faso (16:00), Ethiopia v Djibouti (21:00)

Group F: Ivory Coast v Gambia (19:00)

Group H: Namibia v Equatorial Guinea (13:00), Liberia v Sao Tome e Principe (16:00), Tunisia v Malawi (21:00)

Group I: Central African Republic v Mali (16:00), Madagascar v Ghana (19:00)

March 25 (Tuesday)

Group A: Egypt v Sierra Leone (19:00)

Group B: Sudan v South Sudan (19:00), Mauritania v DR Congo (21:00), Senegal v Togo (21:00)

Group C: Benin v South Africa (16:00), Nigeria v Zimbabwe (16:00), Rwanda v Lesotho (16:00)

Group D: Angola v Cape Verde (16:00), Cameroon v Libya (19:00)

Group E: Morocco v Tanzania (21:30)

Group F: Burundi v Seychelles (19:00)

Group G: Botswana v Somalia (13:00), Uganda v Guinea (16:00), Algeria v Mozambique (21:00)

Group I: Comoros v Chad (21:00)