2026 WCQ Preview: Ghana and Ivory Coast look for back-to-back wins

After a calm weekend with only four matches, 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying from the African region gains momentum on Monday with eight matches to begin the final stretch of the March FIFA window. Group leaders Ghana, Tunisia and Ivory Coast are in action while the likes of Mali, Namibia and Burkina Faso attempt to put pressure on teams currently above them.

Group I

Central African Republic vs Mali- Casablanca, Morocco (16:00 GMT)

Madagascar vs Ghana- Al Hoceima, Morocco (19:00 GMT)

Group I 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.

Ghana had an easy warm up match on Friday against Chad and now the real test arrives for the Black Stars, who want to make it six points from two matches and keep distance between them and Comoros and Mali. Morocco is the setting for both group matches on Monday.

Five different players scored for Ghana in their victory over Chad including Iñaki Williams, badly in need of a goal in his international career. Jordan Ayew produced a goal and an assist while Ernest Nuamah and Antoine Semenyo also produced. The defensive spine of the team will get more of a test with central defensive partnership Alexander Djiku and Mohammed Salisu ready for the challenge as well as Thomas Partey in the midfield.

But the Black Stars face a Madagascar team with high ambitions under French coach Corentin Martins: "We're going to try to annoy them as much as possible...in football, anything is possible." A strong midfield will lead the Malagasy team lead by goal scoring central player Rayan Raveloson as well as Marco Ilaimaharitra, both players who play at high levels in European club football.

Earlier on Monday, Mali will look to continue their resurgence under head coach Tom Saintfiet who has this Eagles team playing confident and efficient football. A Central African Republic team awaits who have plenty of talent in the midfield and attack but looked very susceptible in defense in a lopsided defeat to Madagascar. If Mali can secure an expected win, there remains plenty of time to catch Ghana and Madagascar to win the group.

Group F

Ivory Coast vs Gambia- Abidjan, Ivory Coast (19:00 GMT)

Group F Table

Ivory Coast have yet to allow a goal in their five matches so far in qualifying, leaving the African champions clearly a level above their Group F competition even though the finishing was lacking in a victory against Burundi. However, Gabon are keeping pace with the Elephants and a desperate Gambia side provides a potentially difficult obstacle on Monday.

The presence of attackers Yankuba Minteh and Musa Barrow gives Gambia an attack that can give the Ivorian defense issues. But even the presence of captain Omar Colley cannot not hide the weakness of the Gambian defense which endured a nightmare in the team's 3-3 draw with Kenya earlier in the FIFA window.

Group H

Namibia vs Equatorial Guinea- Johannesburg, South Africa (13:00 GMT)

Liberia vs São Tomé and Príncipe- Paynesville, Liberia (16:00 GMT)

Tunisia vs Malawi- Tunis, Tunisia (21:00 GMT)

Group H Table (5 matches played)

Liberia and Tunisia are largely expected to win at home in their second matches of the FIFA window. São Tomé and Príncipe proved against Equatorial Guinea that they are perhaps not as weak a team as previously thought but Liberia needs to win to have any hope of making a serious push for qualification.

Tunisia did excellently to earn all three points at Liberia last match and Sami Trabelsi's side will want to deliver a comfortable victory over Malawi, who are missing star striker Gabadinho Mhango. The match to watch will be in South Africa where Namibia will host Equatorial Guinea. The Nzalang looked refreshed with attacking star Emilio Nsue back eligible and are more than capable of taking down Namibia to accelerate their pursuit of second place.

Group A

Guinea-Bissau vs Burkina Faso- Bissau (16:00 GMT)

Ethiopia vs Djibouti- El Jadida, Morocco (21:00 GMT)

Group A Table (5 matches played)

Burkina Faso look like the only team who are capable of competing with group leaders and can establish themselves as the favorites for second place when the Stallions face Guinea-Bissau in Bissau. Both teams have a lot to play for but a decisive defeat to Sierra Leone last match was not an encouraging sign for Luis Boa Morte's Djurtus side. Expect a more disciplined performance at home and a tight match where individual moments could make the difference.

Ethiopia forward Abubaker Nassir had not played a competitive match since December 2023 for Mamelodi Sundowns when he played 78 minutes against Egypt on Friday. After spending a long spell out due to injury and loss of form, the talented forward is clearly not at full form but it will be interesting to see if he can spark the Waliyas in a winnable match against Djibouti.