2026 WCQ Preview: Fifteen matches provide a busy grand finale to the March window

The grand conclusion to the March FIFA window is upon us with fifteen matches completing the sixth round of matches from 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying on Tuesday! Morocco, Egypt, Algeria, Nigeria, South Africa, Cameroon and Senegal are all among the teams who complete their international break with plenty to be determined. Read all about Tuesday's action below.

Group C

Benin vs South Africa- Abidjan, Ivory Coast (16:00 GMT)

Nigeria vs Zimbabwe- Uyo, Nigeria (16:00 GMT)

Rwanda vs Lesotho- Kigali, Rwanda (16:00 GMT)

Group C Table (5 matches played)

• The group winner qualifies for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

• Four of the nine group runners-up qualify for a playoff to determine Africa's representative at the intercontinental qualifying playoff.

In what continues to be the "Group of Death", the top three teams in the group can hear the loud footsteps of a potential Nigerian resurgence behind them. A slip up for Benin or Rwanda could leave them chasing the Super Eagles and South Africa for the remainder of the campaign making Tuesday a potentially decisive moment.

Benin will host South Africa in Ivory Coast as all group matches take place simultaneously. Not much has changed in the Beninese team since they fell to Bafana Bafana away in the first meeting from November 2023. The Cheetahs have drawn their last three competitive matches, leaving them vulnerable to a South African team that is in full flight under coach Hugo Broos. Benin will need to defend strongly and hope that striker Steve Mounié can provide a crucial goal or two.

In Uyo, many presume Nigeria will continue on with another victory after earning an important three points in Rwanda. However, the only thing that is consistent about the Super Eagles is their inconsistency in recent years. Zimbabwe have an experienced, balanced and capable team with plenty to play for but it seems impossible to stop motivated Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen.

Finally, Rwanda need to win at home in Kigali against Lesotho. The tiny nation is anything but an easy victory considering their fierce defending and ability to spoil the fortunes of more pedigreed teams.

Group D

Angola vs Cape Verde- Luanda, Angola (16:00 GMT)

Cameroon vs Libya- Yaoundé, Cameroon (19:00 GMT)

Group D Table

Cameroon had an excellent opportunity to build some momentum but failed to score against lowly Eswatini in a 0-0 draw, only adding to immense pressure when they host Libya. The team generally has performed well under coach Marc Brys and with midfielder Frank Zambo Anguissa returning to the team, it is expected that the Indomitable LIons will respond. However, they will have to break down a stubborn Libya team.

In Luanda, the pressure is high on Angola to deliver at home in a Lusophone derby against current group leaders Cape Verde. Main striker Mabululu is available after suspension kept him out in Libya and Palancas Negras supporters are excited to see if he can get on the end of service from Manuel Benson, the winger who was so impressive in the first match this window.

Facing them is a Cape Verde team who have lost their last four competitive away matches by a combined score of 9-1. The Blue Sharks are the group leaders and avoiding defeat could be crucial considering their last two matches away from home of the campaign are winnable fixtures against Mauritius and Eswatini.

Group B

Sudan vs South Sudan- Benghazi, Libya (19:00 GMT)

Mauritania vs DR Congo- Nouakchott (21:00 GMT)

Senegal vs Togo- Diamnadio, Senegal (21:00 GMT)

Group B Table (5 matches played)

Senegal could not overtake group leaders Sudan in Benghazi, Libya earlier this window and now have DR Congo to deal with above them in the group. Next up is a test against Togo, a team who have proven to be a difficult match with two draws in their last two meetings. It is not time to be worried yet for the Lions of Teranga but Tuesday's result will give us a good idea of where the team is at.

DR Congo struggled to finish off South Sudan in their last match but the objective was completed and now the Leopards need to show they can grind out a result away from home in Mauritania. There is not much for Mauritania to play for at this point but they are more than capable of playing the role of spoiler.

The big question for Leopards coach Sébastien Desabre is whether he goes with veteran striker Cédric Bakambu in place of Simon Banza, who continues to score goals with ease for his club but struggles for the national team.

Group leaders Sudan are widely expected to defeat rivals South Sudan in Libya but the Bright Stars will be motivated after controversy erupted upon their arrival in Benghazi. In addition, Sudan will be without star attacker Mohamed Abdelrahman whose absence was dearly felt in the 0-0 draw against Senegal earlier this window.

Group G

Uganda vs Guinea- Kampala, Uganda (16:00 GMT)

Botswana vs Somalia- Francistown, Botswana (19:00 GMT)

Algeria vs Mozambique- Tizi Ouzou, Algeria (21:00 GMT)

Group G Table (5 matches played)

Algeria looked a class above the rest of the group during their 3-1 victory in Botswana and now Les Verts will look to assert their dominance of Group G against co-leaders Mozambique. Having lost the first match between the two teams 0-2 at home in 2023, Chiquinho Conde's Mambas team have a massive challenge ahead but are capable of causing an upset if their defense can hold up.

Dual national recruit Depo was a revelation in Mozambique's victory over Uganda and the Mambas will count upon their strong midfield and hard working ethic against the technical ability and star-studded squad of Algeira.

In Kampala, Guinea have work to do against the Cranes of Uganda with both teams looking for redemption after nightmare results earlier in the window. A shocking 0-0 draw with Somalia leaves Serhou Guirassy and Guinea in a must-win scenario along with their opponents who will enjoy fierce home support. The Ugandan defense had an off game and questions remain about whether the East African nation can put all the elements together on a consistent basis.

Finally, Somalia defended valiantly to earn their first point of the campaign against Guinea but the odds remain heavily against them in Botswana. The Zebras must do what Guinea failed to do and deliver a convincing victory to remain in the race for qualification.

Group E

Morocco vs Tanzania- Oujda, Morocco (21:30 GMT)

Group E Table

The withdrawal of Eritrea and suspension of Congo has created some uncertainty in Group E, particularly regarding how the runner-up will be measured against the other group runners-up in the ranking. However, the task is simple for visiting Tanzania who must find a way to scrap out a result against dominant group leaders Morocco.

Well known for their strong defense, Tanzania will need to find a way to score like Niger did earlier in the window when they gave Morocco all the Atlas Lions could handle. It is an almost impossible task to keep Morocco from scoring with their incredibly talented attack and the Taifa Stars must find opportunities to counter and avoid bunkering the entire match.

Group A

Egypt vs Sierra Leone- Cairo, Egypt (19:00 GMT)

Group A Table

After an inspired performance in their victory over Guinea-Bissau, Sierra Leone have plenty of momentum as they seek to defy long odds to earn a result in Egypt. National footballing legend Mohamed Kallon clearly has this group inspired but facing Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush provides a task that is on another level compared to facing Guinea-Bissau. For their part, Egypt remain focused and are not letting their substantial lead affect their focus.

However, the Leone Stars relish being counted out which will give starlet Juma Bah and his team nothing to lose. The important result was already achieved earlier in the FIFA window and hope is restored for Sierra Leone's campaign.

Remaining Fixtures

Group I: Comoros vs Chad- Berkane, Morocco (21:00 GMT)

Group F: Burundi vs Seychelles- Meknes, Morocco (19:00 GMT)

Comoros, previously Group I co-leaders with Ghana at the beginning of the international break, were brought back to reality by Mali in a 0-3 defeat. However, the Coelacanths remain in the hunt and will look to move back up into second place and within range of Group I leaders Ghana with a victory against hapless Chad.

In Group F, dominated by Ivory Coast and Gabon, Burundi appear to be the only team that can mount a challenge. Les Hirondelles can move within six points and secure third place in the group if they can achieve a highly expected victory against a Seychelles team largely composed of part-time players.