2026 World Cup qualifying recap: Groups G-I

Ghana, Algeria and Tunisia are all in excellent positions to secure qualification to the 2026 FIFA World Cup but there still remains some work to do for the African powerhouses. In the third part of our World Cup qualifying recap below, we examine groups G, H and I to evaluate the rising teams and the teams who are slowing down at a bad time.

Click here to read about Groups A, B and C

Click here to read about Groups D, E and F

Group G

Group G Table (6 matches played)

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

• Out of the nine gorup runnes-up, four runners up will advance to playoff stage to decide Africa's contender for the intercontinental qualifying playoff

Stock Up 🔼: Algeria

Les Verts initially struggled to dominate this group however after this week, it is now well established that they are the favorites to secure qualification. The North African team went down to Botswana and showed their class against the Zebras before thrashing the closest contenders Mozambique in a crowd-pleasing victory. Amine Gouiri and Mohamed Amoura are the new stars and captain Riyad Mahrez looks to be in excellent form with an improving supporting cast.

Stock Down 🔽: Guinea

Zero goals in two matches, including in a completely unexpected 0-0 draw with Somalia, have left Syli National staggering. Serhou Guirassy was supposed to make the difference in these sorts of matches but the Borussia Dortmund striker has been firing blanks in national team colors with zero goals in his last three matches. A 0-1 defeat to Uganda might have sealed Guinea's fate as the team continues to underachieve.

Goal of the Week: Geny Catamo- Mozambique vs Algeria

Group H

Group H Table (6 matches played)

Stock Up 🔼: Tunisia, Equatorial Guinea

• Tunisia are clearly not as good as previous editions of the Carthage Eagles at this point but the North African nation have yet to concede a goal in the easiest group from the African region of qualifying. A hard fought victory in Liberia was followed by victory at home against Malawi for a winning start to life under coach Sami Trabelsi. Tunisia has some breathing room now and are poised for a direct path to their third consecutive World Cup appearance.

• With Emilio Nsue back in the fold, Equatorial Guinea are bouncing back after Nsue's ineligibility cost them six crucial points when two early victories turned into forfeits. However, there is no margin for error due to the point penalty and failing to win in South Africa against Namibia means that the Nzalang Nacional must be flawless for the remainder of the campaign.

Stock Unchanged ↔ : Namibia

The Brave Warriors have a golden opportunity to qualify for their first-ever World Cup Games and the results this week were mixed. While a victory against COSAFA foes Malawi was satisfactory, Namibia needed to defeat Equatorial Guinea to keep the pressure on group leaders Tunisia and could only muster a draw in South Africa. Peter Shalulile is finding his form with the national team but difficult matches at Liberia and Tunisia lay ahead in the final matchdays.

Goal of the Week: Iván Salvador Edú- Equatorial Guinea v São Tomé and Príncipe

Group I

Group I Table (6 matches played)

Stock Up 🔼: Ghana

Black Stars supporters needed something to celebrate after a failed 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign and their team never disappointed. An easy victory over Chad gave them the momentum to dominate Madagascar, which was an absolute tactical masterclass from head coach Otto Addo. The Ghana Football Association did well not to make a coaching change after the AFCON debacle and Addo has used the time well to strengthen the team chemistry.

Stock Unchanged ↔ : Mali, Madagascar

• Mali, who are trying to catch up after a poor start at the campaign, appeared to be back on track under coach Tom Saintfiet when Les Aigles dominated Comoros in a lopsided victory to start their week. However, failure to secure victory against Central African Republic made the week almost unsuccessful though Mali have consistently been impressive since Saintfiet took charge. More hard work awaits for the talented Mali team.

• Madagascar had big hopes of a place at the World Cup but those expectations were crushed by a lopsided defeat to Ghana. The Barea were outclassed by the Black Stars and it is difficult to see this team finishing as group winners or runners-up ahead of the likes of Ghana, Comoros and Mali. However, an impressive victory over Central African Republic earlier in the window keeps them in the hunt.

Stock Down 🔽: Comoros

After becoming the darlings of African football over the last four years, Comoros now have their ambitions set on World Cup qualification but a 0-3 defeat to Mali has brought seeds of doubt. It was inevitable that Les Coelacanthes would face an obstacle but the Malians taught them a harsh lesson. Coach Stefano Cusin and his charges avoided another fiasco with a narrow victory over minnows Chad, but tests away from home remain against Mali and Ghana. This makes it probable that Comoros will qualify for the World Cup.

Goal of the Week: Nene Dorgeles- Mali vs Comoros