Reigning African champions Ivory Coast headline Group F with the Elephants looking to extend their lead atop the group. Two desperate opponents await them in March with Burundi and The Gambia looking to gain ground in the group while a veteran Gabon team and rejuvenated Kenya attempt to shine. Read more on the situation in the group below.
Group F Table (4 matches played)
Points | |
Ivory Coast | 10 |
Gabon | 9 |
Burundi | 7 |
Kenya | 5 |
The Gambia | 3 |
Seychelles | 0 |
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.
March Fixtures
March 20- Gabon vs Seychelles (Franceville, Gabon)
March 20- Gambia vs Kenya (Abidjan, Ivory Coast)
March 21- Burundi vs Ivory Coast (Meknes, Morocco)
March 23- Kenya vs Gabon (Nairobi, Kenya)
March 24- Ivory Coast vs Gambia (Abidjan, Ivory Coast)
March 25- Burundi vs Seychelles (Meknes, Morocco)
Evaluation
Plenty to watch in this group. Teams like Burundi and Kenya have opportunities to advance their cause while a desperate Gambia side attempt to resurrect their campaign. Burundi can take a giant step forward and earn six points in March if Les Hirondelles defeat Ivory Coast in Morocco before they face minnows Seychelles. Kenya have plenty of momentum after charismatic coach Benni McCarthy signed on to take charge of the Harambee Stars.
Ivory Coast have a couple of tricky fixtures but remain the favorites to maintain their hold on the group. Gabon, with national team legends Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Denis Bouanga back and fully on board, have a match against Seychelles where they can boost their goal difference before an important clash in Kenya.
Key Players
Emmanuel Agbadou- Ivory Coast (Club: Wolves [ENG])
It has been an incredible 2024-25 season for club and country for the powerful central defender. Agbadou muscled his way into the eleven of Elephants coach Emerse Faé by the end of 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying before securing a massive transfer from French football to English Premier League side Wolves.
Ivory Coast has yet to concede a goal so far in World Cup qualifying and with Odilon Kossounou continuing to battle injuries since winning the 2023 AFCON, Agbadou has seized his opportunity with both hands. Forming an imposing partnership with Evan Ndicka, it looks like coach Faé is decided on who he wants in the heart of defense moving forward.
Denis Bouanga- Gabon (Club: Los Angeles FC [USA])
Not much has changed in the last several years for the Gabonese selection with the likes of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Guelor Kanga, Bruno Ecuele Manga and Mario Lemina remaining key players. However, these stars of the Panthers are beginning to lose their step and now is the time for Bouanga to shine while the 30-year-old still has his explosiveness.
The performances have not been inspiring for Gabonese supporters who have watched Aubameyang walk out on the team, an event that caused their beloved national team to miss out on the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. However, experience can be the Panthers' strength and Bouanga can still provide the special moments and pace in transition for one last try at World Cup qualification before the team begins a rebuilding process.
Jean Claude Girumugisha- Burundi (Club: Al Hilal Omdurman [SDN])
Already eliminated from contention to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations late last year, Burundi coach Patrick Sangwa had an opportunity to experiment with his selection and allow young stars like Girumugisha to test themselves. Outside of scoring a goal early in the campaign against Malawi, the results were inconclusive for the 20-year-old who is shining for Sudanese club Al Hilal in the CAF Champions League this season.
However, with Saido Berahino and Saidi Mtibazonkiza in the twilight of their careers, the time is now for Girumugisha. Burundi has a strong defense with star Youssouf Ndayishimiye anchoring the team but if Les Hirondelles want to be a serious threat to qualify, Girumugisha must rise to the occasion and use his recent experiences in high level competition to create and finish goals.
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