Algeria remain the favorites to emerge as the top team in Group G of 2026 World Cup qualifying but have shown one or two signs of vulnerability. With strong contenders like Mozambique, Botswana, Uganda and a Guinea team led by Serhou Guirassy, there are few easy matches in the group. Read more on a fiercely contested group below.
Group G Table (4 matches played)
Points | |
Algeria | 9 |
Mozambique | 9 |
Botswana | 6 |
Guinea | 6 |
Uganda | 6 |
Somalia | 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- Mozambique vs Uganda (Cairo, Egypt)
March 21- Botswana vs Algeria (Francistown, Botswana)
March 21- Guinea vs Somalia (Abidjan, Ivory Coast)
March 25
Botswana vs Somalia (Francistown, Botswana)
Uganda vs Guinea (Kampala, Uganda)
Algeria vs Mozambique (Tizi Ouzou, Algeria)
Evaluation
Heavy group favorites Algeria showed signs of vulnerability almost a year ago when they fell at home to Guinea and now Les Verts will need to prove that was an aberration when they travel to Botswana. For the Zebras, who have plenty of confidence after clinching qualification for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, it is time to prove their credentials for the ultimate prize if they can upset Algeria.
The group picture will become clearer after March and Uganda are flying high under coach Paul Put. The Cranes will join Botswana at the 2025 AFCON and two tough matches in March against teams with European-based stars will make or break Ugandan hopes for a first-ever World Cup qualification. Guinea will count on Serhou Guirassy to make the difference in Kampala while Mozambique are a well balanced team who continue to thrive under coach Chiquinho Conde.
Key Players
Serhou Guirassy- Guinea (Club: Borussia Dortmund [GER])
Powerful, quick and a goal scoring machine. That is the way to describe the Borussia Dortmund who is proving himself at the highest levels of European club football. Upon his commitment to represent the Syli National, Guirassy added instant credibility to a Guinea side that needed a force to compete with the giants of African football.
While Guirassy is accumulating goals against lesser sides, he did fail to show up when Guinea needed him against Tanzania on the final day of 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying. However, if he can help the Syli obtain six points in March, supporters would be more than happy to overlook the AFCON qualifying failure if Guirassy can guide them to a top-2 finish in Group G.
Khalid Aucho- Uganda (Club: Young Africans [TZA])
The powerful central midfield enforcer was dearly missed by Tanzanian champions Young Africans in the CAF Champions League group stage, whose two defeats came when Aucho was recovering from injury. Aucho has put in the hard work during his club career, spending time in Kenya, South Africa, India and Egypt before bearing the fruits of his labor in Tanzania where he has fully realized his potential for club and country.
Uganda's attack is still developing and finding consistency but as long as the 31-year-old is the barrier between midfield and the Cranes' solid defense, the East African nation has a chance to earn positive results.
Bruno Langa- Mozambique (Club: Almeria [ESP])
A bundle of energy at the left back position, Bruno Langa is the most consistent member of the Mambas and is known for producing excellent performances when it matters most. The 27-year-old scored a crucial goal in Mozambique's victory at Guinea-Bissau in November to secure qualification for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, accumulating one goal and four assists in six qualifying matches.
A fierce defender whose immense stamina allows him to support the attack with enthusiasm, Langa exemplifies this Mambas team under head coach Chiquinho Conde: consistent, solid, balanced and energetic.
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