2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying is in full flight across the world but especially so in Africa where eleven matches will take place on Friday. Nigeria face a daunting task with massive pressure on the Super Eagles, who must win away from home in Kigali against Rwanda.
North Africa's top sides Morocco, Egypt and Algeria will be in action as well as Ghana, South Africa, DR Congo and reigning African champions Ivory Coast. Read all about the key matches below.
Group C
Rwanda vs Nigeria- Kigali, Rwanda (16:00 GMT)
South Africa vs Lesotho- Polokwane, South Africa (16:00 GMT)
Group C Table
GP | Points | |
Benin | 5 | 8 |
Rwanda | 4 | 7 |
South Africa | 4 | 7 |
Lesotho | 4 | 5 |
Nigeria | 4 | 3 |
Zimbabwe | 4 | 3 |
The group winner qualifies for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Four of the nine runners-up qualify for a playoff to determine Africa's representative at the intercontinental qualifying playoff.
The moment of truth arrives for Nigeria! A nightmare start leaves the Super Eagles in need of points both home and away and a stiff tests awaits at pesky Rwanda where anything less than a victory won't be tolerated on new coach Éric Chelle's debut. For his part, Chelle is putting on a strong air of confidence ahead of the massive fixture.
Nigerian attacking luminaries Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman come up against a fierce Rwandan defense led by goalkeeper Fiacre Ntwari and central defender Ange Mutsinzi.
In South Africa, Bafana Bafana have an excellent opportunity to move into top spot in the group if they can take care of business against neighbors Lesotho. The small country located as an enclave within South Africa has a team that is infamous for giving larger nations trouble on the pitch with a particularly determined defense that will look to make things difficult for the South African attack.
Coach Hugo Broos has difficult decisions to make in his attack: Will he pick between Lyle Foster and in form Iqraam Rayners or find a way to incorporate both in his eleven? What role will Percy Tau play? Will younger talents Relebohile Mofokeng, Oswin Appolis and Elias Mokwane get the nod from the start?
North Africa's superpowers take the pitch
Group G
Botswana vs Algeria- Francistown, Botswana (13:00 GMT)
Guinea vs Somalia- Abidjan, Ivory Coast (21:00 GMT)
Group G Table
GP | Points | |
Mozambique | 5 | 12 |
Algeria | 4 | 9 |
Botswana | 4 | 6 |
Guinea | 4 | 6 |
Uganda | 5 | 6 |
Somalia | 4 | 0 |
Algeria will need to keep pace with Mozambique after the Mambas secured a big victory over Uganda on Thursday. Now a difficult test arrives in Botswana against a Zebras team who are on a strong wave of momentum after qualifying for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
Algeria coach Vladimir Petković has a wealth of options in attack to pick from including Riyad Mahrez, Amine Gouiri and Mohamed Amoura. But the concern for Les Verts may be in the defense which will count on the experience of players like Aissa Mandi and Ramy Bensebaini to hold off Botswana's North African based attackers Kabelo Seakanyeng and Tumisang Orebonye.
In Ivory Coast, superstar striker Serhou Guirassy and Guinea will be facing a Somalia team that is happy to be competing among Africa's best. However, the Syli National plan to show no mercy with a victory needed to keep within reach of top Group G sides Mozambique and Algeria.
Group E
Niger vs Morocco- Oujda, Morocco (21:30 GMT)
Group E Table
GP | Points | |
Morocco | 3 | 9 |
Niger | 3 | 6 |
Tanzania | 3 | 6 |
Zambia | 4 | 3 |
Morocco's high flying Atlas Lions have two matches at home this week in Oujda and first it is the Menas of Niger who enter the Lions Den. The North African giants have an opportunity to all but guarantee their place at the finals in USA, Mexico and Canada next year if they can win both matches as expected. However, Niger have a capable side who have plenty to play for even if the odds appear insurmountable since they cannot host this home fixture.
Group A
Ethiopia vs Egypt- Casablanca, Morocco (21:00 GMT)
Burkina Faso vs Djibouti- El Jadida, Morocco (16:00 GMT)
Group A Table
GP | Points | |
Egypt | 4 | 10 |
Sierra Leone | 5 | 8 |
Guinea-Bissau | 5 | 6 |
Burkina Faso | 4 | 5 |
Ethiopia | 4 | 3 |
Djibouti | 4 | 1 |
Egypt are in a strong position and look even more powerful compared to earlier in the campaign. Mohamed Salah returns to the team and is joined by Omar Marmoush after his big money move to Manchester City as well as familiar faces Trezeguet and striker Mostafa Mohamed, all of whom are in strong form for their clubs. The Pharaohs face Ethiopia who will focus on stopping Salah and Marmoush to pull off an epic shock.
Burkina Faso can join Sierra Leone on eight points in second place if they are able to secure an expected victory over Djibouti. The Stallions, outside of an injury to defender Edmond Tapsoba, are at full strength and ready to gain some momentum ahead of an important clash at Guinea-Bissau.
West African giants look to snatch control
Group F
Burundi vs Ivory Coast- Meknes, Morocco (19:00 GMT)
Group F Table
GP | Points | |
Gabon | 5 | 12 |
Ivory Coast | 4 | 10 |
Burundi | 4 | 7 |
Kenya | 5 | 6 |
Gambia | 5 | 4 |
Seychelles | 5 | 0 |
The challenge is set for African champions Ivory Coast to return to the summit of the group after Gabon did their job against minnows Seychelles. With a record of twelve goals scored and zero conceded in four matches, the charges of coach Emerse Faé are determined to maintain their hold on Group F but have two opponents this week who want to announce their legitimacy.
First up is Burundi who are not particularly threatening at first look but the Swallows have a capable defense and some promising talent in the attack. If defensive stars Youssouf Ndayishimiye and Frédéric Nsabiyumva perform at their best, things could be tricky for the Elephants.
Group I
Ghana vs Chad- Accra, Ghana (19:00 GMT)
Group I Table
GP | Points | |
Madagascar | 5 | 10 |
Ghana | 4 | 9 |
Comoros | 5 | 9 |
Mali | 5 | 8 |
CA Republic | 5 | 4 |
Chad | 4 | 0 |
It could not possibly get any worse for Ghana, can it? After a disastrous 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying run that saw them miss out, the Black Stars can move on to focus on World Cup qualifying where they tend to thrive. Now they have an opportunity to seize first place for themselves in Group I after Comoros were brought back to Earth by mali on Thursday.
Up next at home is an easy target in the form of bottom side Chad, who did not bother to call in players based abroad as they look towards the future. Friday's match will serve as an excellent opportunity to gain momentum before a top of the table clash with Madagascar three days later.
Group B
DR Congo vs South Sudan- Kinshasa, DR Congo (16:00 GMT)
Group B Table (4 matches played)
Points | |
Sudan | 10 |
Senegal | 8 |
DR Congo | 7 |
Togo | 3 |
South Sudan | 2 |
Mauritania | 1 |
The Leopards of DR Congo have a chance to set the tone in Group B which starts later than the rest of the groups in this FIFA window. Visiting the Congolese capital of Kinshasa is an opponent in South Sudan who have not won a World Cup or Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match away from home since 2023 at Republic of Congo.
The Bright Stars look like easy prey for the Leopards who need a victory to put pressure on Sudan and Senegal above them in Group B. With those two teams set to face off on Saturday, Friday's match is the perfect opportunity for the Leopards to begin their quest for six points this week.
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