2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying returns to the African region on Wednesday with an appetizer of three matches before action kicks into high gear with more matches on Thursday and Friday. The matches on Wednesday all have major implications for each team, some of whom are fighting to stay relevant while Tunisia and Cameroon attempt to consolidate their places at the top of their groups.
Group D: Eswatini vs Cameroon- Mbombela, South Africa (16:00 GMT)
Group D Table (4 matches played)
Points | |
Cameroon | 8 |
Libya | 7 |
Cape Verde | 7 |
Angola | 6 |
Mauritius | 4 |
Eswatini | 0 |
According to the oddsmakers
Eswatini win: 7.7%
Cameroon win: 76.9%
Draw: 15.4%
This group is Cameroon's to lose but the Indomitable Lions have an inspired Libya team who are within reach as well as talented Lusophone nations Cape Verde and Angola. The African power travels to South Africa to face an Eswatini team with nothing to lose who have proven in the past that they can cause trouble for more pedigreed teams.
With Premier League stars Bryan Mbeumo and Carlos Baleba involved, there is no reason for Cameroon to drop points even with Napoli midfielder Franck Zambo-Anguissa out injured. An experienced midfield replacement in Martin Hongla, an experienced defense and captain Vincent Aboubakar in the attack gives Cameroonian supporters good reason to expect victory with coach Marc Brys undefeated in six matches so far during his tenure.
Group H: Liberia vs Tunisia- Paynesville, Liberia (16:00 GMT)
Group H Table (4 matches played)
Points | |
Tunisia | 10 |
Namibia | 8 |
Liberia | 7 |
Malawi | 6 |
Equatorial Guinea | 3 |
São Tomé and Príncipe | 0 |
The group winner qualifies for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Four of top group runners-up (out of nine groups) qualify for a playoff to determine Africa's representative at the intercontinental qualifying playoff.
According to the oddsmakers
Liberia win: 16.7%
Tunisia win: 55.6%
Draw: 27.7%
In a relatively weak group, Tunisia will expect to increase their lead at the top but have a Liberia squad standing in their way who have home advantage and know the artificial pitch well at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Complex. Liberia are determined to establish themselves as serious contenders and a victory would go a long way considering Namibia and Malawi are clashing in Malawi this week.
Tunisia have a strong midfield and defense to carry them through away from home but the attack has plenty to prove during a bit of a transition phase for the Carthage Eagles. Veteran central midfield leader Ellyes Skhiri is out due to injury but that should be no issue considering the strong depth in the team at the position.
The midfield battle will be one to watch with Liberia captain Oscar Dorley and Scotland-based Nohan Kenneh forming a capable partnership of their own. Salomon Tweh, who plays for Al Raed in the Saudi Pro League, is another player who may be counted on based on Liberia coach Thomas Kojo's comments despite the 20-year-old's inexperience at national team level.
A draw looks like quite a likely result considering the lack of firepower on both teams but look for a set piece or moment of magic from a player like Tunisia's Sayfallah Ltaief to make the difference.
Group I: Central African Republic vs Madagascar- Casablanca, Morocco (16:00 GMT)
Group I Table (4 matches played)
Points | |
Comoros | 9 |
Ghana | 9 |
Madagascar | 7 |
Mali | 5 |
Central African Republic | 4 |
Chad | 0 |
According to the oddsmakers
Central African Republic win: 34.7%
Madagascar win: 38%
Draw: 27.3%
An evenly matched clash in Group I sees Madagascar and Central African Republic trying to gain ground on co-leaders Comoros and Ghana. With their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying hopes ended long before the conclusion late last year, both teams have had a long time to prepare their squads and integrate new dual national players for this March FIFA window.
Central African Republic have proven their ability to compete at a high level and have a rejuvenated squad with all their Europe-based stars including the likes of midfield captain Geoffrey Kondogbia (Olympique de Marseille, France), striker Louis Mafouta (Amiens, France) and Goduine Koyalipou (Lens, France). The attack appears quite formidable and Kondogbia anchors the midfield but the defense could be a weak point.
Madagascar were dealt a blow when their home stadium was not approved by CAF in time for the March fixtures, which means their "home" match against Ghana later in the window will be in Morocco. However, the Barea have a strong midfield with European-based stars Rayan Raveloson, Marco Ilaimaharitra and Loïc Lapoussin involved. Experience is the theme in this team along with high expectations for experienced French coach Corentin Martins who is charged with qualifying the island nation for their first-ever World Cup finals.
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