By 
Africa’s qualification tournament for the 2026 FIFA World Cup resumes with Matchday 7 fixtures running from 3 to 6 September, bringing the continent’s likely representatives at next year’s global showpiece in North America into sharper focus.
Supersports reports that the action kicks off with a Group F match on Wednesday afternoon, as Gabon look to claim an away victory against the Seychelles and leapfrog reigning Africa Cup of Nations champions Ivory Coast at the top of the group.
The Elephants will have their chance to respond on Friday night when they host Burundi in Abidjan.
Ivory Coast coach Emerse Fae is banking on German-based 19-year-old winger Bazoumana Toure to add extra attacking firepower.
“[Toure] is an attacking winger who is fast. We have been following him for six months. He is structured and technical, and will bring freshness and dynamism to our squad,” Fae said.
Thursday’s fixtures include Ghana aiming to consolidate their Group I lead against Chad in N’Djamena, while Cape Verde and Cameroon continue their thrilling battle at the top of Group D, with the Blue Sharks holding a one-point advantage over the Indomitable Lions.
Cape Verde face Mauritius away, while Cameroon host Eswatini.
North African powerhouses Algeria and Tunisia also continue their seemingly unstoppable march toward direct qualification in Groups G and H.
Algeria host Botswana in Tizi Ouzou, aiming to extend pressure on nearest chasers Mozambique, who travel to Uganda on Friday. Tunisia welcome Liberia to Tunis, with the opportunity to open a seven-point gap over second-placed Namibia, who host Malawi later the same day.
Morocco, semifinalists at the last World Cup, could become the first African team to secure qualification for 2026 if they defeat Niger at home in Rabat on Friday night, regardless of the earlier result between Congo and Tanzania in Brazzaville.
Atlas Lions coach Walid Regragui has called up several newcomers, hoping to secure victory against Niger before giving those players a chance against Zambia next week.
“The Niger game will be the key to qualification. If we secure the ticket, we will give new faces the chance against Zambia,” Regragui said.
“African matches are always tough, and Zambia will not be an easy opponent on their home ground. We have played several games outside Morocco and understand the challenges, but first we need to focus on winning against Niger in Rabat.”
Egypt also aim to strengthen their grip at the top of Group A, with a win over Ethiopia on Friday in Cairo bringing them close to qualification.
Meanwhile, Group B remains tightly contested, with only one point separating DR Congo, Senegal, and Sudan. DR Congo travel to South Sudan in Juba, while Senegal face Sudan in a crunch showdown in Diamniadio.
Group C sees South Africa looking to maintain their top spot with a win ‘away’ to Lesotho in Bloemfontein on Friday evening. Saturday features a must-win game for Nigeria, who host second-placed Rwanda in Uyo.
“People have already written us off. But I am not bothered by that,” said Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle. “We need to take it game by game, win the next match, and then move on to the next.”
If Nigeria defeats Rwanda, they will have a chance to reignite their qualification hopes in a match away to South Africa next Tuesday.
WARNING! All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express permission from ZAMBIA MONITOR.
Comments