2026 World Cup qualifying recap: Groups D-F

Morocco are dominating in Group E with so much uncertainty in Group D while Group E is now a two-horse race for 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. Below, we take a look at which teams are rising and which are falling as we continue with part two of our recap from the African region of qualifiers.

Click here to read about Groups A, B and C

Click here to read about Groups G, H and I

Group D

Group D Table (6 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 qualifiers playoff.

Stock Up 🔼: Cape Verde

Cape Verde continues to punch above their weight in African football. The Blue Sharks did not look great in a difficult home victory over Mauritius but recovered to put in an excellent performance and defeat Angola 2-1 away from home. Their hard work this week leaves them in a strong position and they can take a further step forward in September when they host Cameroon in a top of the table clash.

Stock Down 🔽: Angola and Libya

• It was a devastating week for Libyan World Cup hopes. The Mediterranean Knights conceded a last minute equalizer to settle for a draw at home against Angola and then provided little resistance against Cameroon. While the lack of home advantage could be blamed for past qualifying failures, that is not the case this time for a team that must depend on defensive prowess to overcome their lack of goal scoring capabilities.

• While Angola did well to claim a point at Libya, the Palancas Negras completely lost the plot at home against Cape Verde. Even with top goal scorer Mabululu back for the second match, the theme of offensive struggles continues to be a mystery in a team that does not lack attacking talent. Three of their four remaining matches will be expected victories but it may be little too late for Angola, who will likely need to win at Cameroon on the final matchday.

Goal of the Week: Muaid Ellafi- Libya vs Angola

Group E

Group E Table

NOTE: Eritrea withdrew before qualifying began and Republic of Congo were banned by FIFA in February, reducing the group to four teams.

Stock Up 🔼: Morocco

Morocco is a team that no other side in Africa wants to face. It is not a stretch to say that this Atlas Lions team is even more formidable than the team that reached the semifinals of the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Niger and Tanzania gave them their best possible efforts but this was not enough against the Moroccan bulldozer which seems to produce goals at will when needed.

Stock Down 🔽: Niger, Tanzania, Zambia

It is hardly the fault of these teams that their stock has gone down. However, the reality is that the absence of Eritrea and Congo combined with the perfection of Morocco has completely destroyed any hope these nations have of qualifying for their first-ever appearance at a World Cup games.

The Confederation of African Football has not yet come up with a new system to evaluate the group runners-up for the African region's qualifying playoff in light of the unique situation in Group E. However, even if a system of points per match or something similar is implemented, Morocco's perfect record has spoiled any possibility of Niger, Tanzania or Zambia becoming one of those four teams to qualify out of the nine group runners-up.

Goal of the Week: Bilal El Khannouss- Morocco vs Niger

Group F

Group F Table

Stock Up 🔼: Gabon

No matter how many want to count Gabon out for depending on the same stars year after year, the Panthers continue to show they are a reliable team in qualifying that is capable of challenging the best African teams on their best day. An important victory at Kenya showed that Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has one last campaign in his legs for what is likely his last attempt to help Gabon qualify for a World Cup debut.

Stock Unchanged ↔ : Ivory Coast, Kenya

• The Elephants remain at the top of the group table and the talent in the team makes them substantial favorites to win the group. However, this week was not entirely satisfying for Ivorian supporters who watched their team labor to narrow victories over Burundi and Gambia. A massive test away from home against Gabon awaits in September and coach Emerse Faé will need to identify how to improve the efficiency of the attack in June friendlies against New Zealand and Canada.

• For Kenya, this week's performances brought mixed results but hope for the future. The Harambee Stars are out of the race to qualify at this point but new coach Benni McCarthy has brought personality and the promise of more attacking football to Kenyan supporters who are on board with the South African football legend. However, they will need to improve the defensive department to get the results they desire.

Stock Down 🔽: Gambia

It must be a frustrating time to be a Gambian supporter. This team showed how capable they are by reaching the quarterfinals of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations but the results have just not been there lately. A missing defense led to their dramatic elimination from contention to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and once again the issue was on full display in a meltdown that saw them draw Kenya 3-3. The Scorpions are a brilliant example of how attacking talent does not matter if the team cannot avoid conceding goals.

Goal of the Week: Musa Barrow- Gambia vs Kenya