International Football
What African nations need to reach the FIFA World Cup final qualifying round?
Five nations will represent Africa at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. Two rounds of games remain in the second round, with the ten group winners reaching the third round. A draw will be held to determine the five two-legged ties in the third round, with the triumphant teams qualifying for the World Cup. FIFA.com looks at how things stand. Qualified for third round: Morocco, Senegal. Able to qualify for third round: Algeria, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Congo DR, Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Ghana, Libya, Madagascar, Mali, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia.
Group A
| Team | Played | Points | GD |
| Algeria | 4 | 10 | +17 |
| Burkina Faso | 4 | 10 | +8 |
| Niger | 4 | 3 | -9 |
| Djibouti | 4 | 0 | -16 |
In the mix: Algeria (10 points, +17 GD), Burkina Faso (10, +8) Eliminated: Niger, Djibouti
Remaining fixtures
- Burkina Faso-Niger
- Djibouti-Algeria
- Algeria-Burkina Faso
- Niger-Djibouti
Algeria and Burkina Faso are both on ten points, but the former holds a significant goal difference edge. Les Étalons, who have never been in with a better chance of reaching their first World Cup, know they must effectively seize more points than Les Verts, who frightened eventual champions Germany in an extra-time defeat in the Round of 16 at Brazil 2014. Algeria boast several players in Europe’s big five leagues, including Ramy Bensebaini (Borussia Monchengladbach), Aissa Mandi (Villarreal), Ismael Bennacer (AC Milan), Said Benrahma (West Ham), Riyad Mahrez (Manchester City) and Islam Slimani (Lyon). While Burkina Faso don’t, they can call on 20-year-old sensation Abdoul Tapsoba, who has hit four goals in his last three internationals, including the late equaliser against the Algerians.
Group B
| Team | Played | Points | GD |
| Tunisia | 4 | 10 | +8 |
| Equatorial Guinea | 4 | 7 | 0 |
| Zambia | 4 | 4 | -3 |
| Mauritania | 4 | 1 | -5 |
In the mix: Tunisia (10 points, +8 GD), Equatorial Guinea (7, 0), Zambia (4, -3) Eliminated: Mauritania
Remaining fixtures
- Zambia-Mauritania
- Equatorial Guinea-Tunisia
- Tunisia-Zambia
- Mauritania-Equatorial Guinea
Patson Daka, Fashion Sakala and Zambia need a miracle to progress, and though Tunisia – who are three points and eight goals better off than Equatorial Guinea – hold all the aces, they do face an examining final two games. If the Emilio Nsue-captained National Thunder can beat Wahbi Khazri and the Eagles of Carthage, it would leave Mondher Kebaier’s side under significant pressure. Tunisia are, nonetheless, unbeaten in their last 12 World Cup qualifiers and have kept clean sheets in each of their last five.
Group C
| Team | Played | Points | GD |
| Nigeria | 4 | 9 | +4 |
| Cabo Verde | 4 | 7 | +1 |
| Central African Republic | 4 | 4 | -2 |
| Liberia | 4 | 3 | -3 |
In the mix: Nigeria (9 points, +4 GD), Cabo Verde (7, +1), Central African Republic (4, -2) Eliminated: Liberia
Remaining fixtures
- Liberia-Nigeria
- Cape Verde-Central African Republic
- Nigeria-Cape Verde
- Liberia-Central African Republic
Kelechi Iheanacho and Victor Osimhen give the Super Eagles arguably the finest attack in Africa, but they still have work to do to reach the final round.
Cape Verde have made admirable strides over the last decade, qualifying for three CAF Africa Cup of Nations tournaments having never previously reached the event, and were unfortunate to lose 2-1 to Nigeria earlier in the campaign.
The Blue Sharks’ penchant for late goals is another source of encouragement. Central African Republic know they must seize six points to have any chance of progressing.
Group D
| Team | Played | Points | GD |
| Côte d’Ivoire | 4 | 10 | +5 |
| Cameroon | 4 | 9 | +4 |
| Malawi | 4 | 3 | -5 |
| Mozambique | 4 | 1 | -4 |
In the mix: Côte d’Ivoire (10 points, +5 GD), Cameroon (9, +4) Eliminated: Malawi, Mozambique
Remaining fixtures
- Malawi-Cameroon
- Côte d’Ivoire-Mozambique
- Cameroon-Côte d’Ivoire
- Mozambique-Malawi
The Elephants and the Indomitable Lions have had some exhilarating battles over the years – who could forget Didier Drogba and Co edging a CAF Africa Cup of Nations shootout in which the first 23 penalties were scored in 2006? – and another is unfolding.
If both avoid an upset in their first November assignments, it will come down to a continent-stopping showdown in Douala. Will Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting and Vincent Aboubakar keep Cameroon on course for an African record eighth World Cup, or will Franck Kessie, Nicolas Pepe and Wilfried Zaha get Côte d’Ivoire to the finals for the fourth time in their last five attempts?
Group E
| Team | Played | Points | GD |
| Mali | 4 | 10 | +7 |
| Uganda | 4 | 8 | +2 |
| Kenya | 4 | 2 | -6 |
| Rwanda | 4 | 1 | -3 |
In the mix: Mali (10 points, +8 GD), Uganda (8, +2) Eliminated: Kenya, Rwanda
Remaining fixtures
- Uganda-Kenya
- Rwanda-Mali
- Mali-Uganda
- Kenya-Rwanda
Not even with Seydou Keita, Mahamadou Diarra and Frederic Kanoute in their side did Malians have more hope of reaching a World Cup.
The Eagles have conceded just five goals in their last 15 competitive fixtures, and field the likes of Leipzig midfielder Amadou Haidara, highly-coveted Brighton star Yves Bissouma, Southampton winger Moussa Djenepo and Ibrahima Kone, who has scored seven goals in five internationals.
Uganda have it all to do but, like Mali, have yet to concede in the second round and have, in Fahad Bayo, a player with a penchant for netting decisive goals.
Group F
| Team | Played | Points | GD |
| Egypt | 4 | 10 | +5 |
| Libya | 4 | 6 | -2 |
| Gabon | 4 | 4 | -1 |
| Angola | 4 | 3 | -2 |
In the mix: Egypt (10 points, +5 GD), Libya (6, -2), Gabon (4, -1) Eliminated: Angola
Remaining fixtures
- Gabon-Libya
- Angola-Egypt
- Egypt-Gabon
- Libya-Angola
Victory in Luanda will send Mo Salah and the Pharaohs through. Libya and Gabon must pray Angola beat Egypt for the first time ever.
At 32, could this be Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s last shot at playing in a World Cup?
Group G
| Team | Played | Points | GD |
| South Africa | 4 | 10 | +4 |
| Ghana | 4 | 9 | +3 |
| Ethiopia | 4 | 3 | -3 |
| Zimbabwe | 4 | 1 | -4 |
In the mix: South Africa (10 points, +4 GD), Ghana (9, +3) Eliminated: Ethiopia, Zimbabwe
Remaining fixtures
- Ethiopia-Ghana
- South Africa-Zimbabwe
- Zimbabwe-Ethiopia
- Ghana-South Africa
The Black Stars were the big favourites when the pool began, but it’s Bafana Bafana who hold the slight edge. Ronwen Williams has been infallible in goal for Hugo Broos’s side, while 21-year-old Evidence Makgopa has been a revelation up front.
Ghana boast striking star power in the form of Thomas Partey, who has been outstanding during these preliminaries, exhilarating young talents Mohammed Kudus and Kamaldeen Sulemana, and the Ayew brothers.
Which one of these football-crazy countries will keep their Qatar 2022 dreams alive?
Group H
| Team | Played | Points | GD |
| Senegal | 4 | 12 | +9 |
| Togo | 4 | 4 | -2 |
| Namibia | 4 | 4 | -4 |
| Congo | 4 | 2 | -3 |
Qualified for final round: Senegal Eliminated: Togo, Namibia, Congo
Group I
| Team | Played | Points | GD |
| Morocco | 4 | 12 | +13 |
| Guinea-Bissau | 4 | 4 | -6 |
| Guinea | 4 | 3 | -3 |
| Sudan | 4 | 2 | -4 |
Qualified for final round: Morocco Eliminated: Guinea-Bissau, Guinea, Sudan
Group J
| Team | Played | Points | GD |
| Tanzania | 4 | 7 | +1 |
| Benin | 4 | 7 | +1 |
| Congo DR | 4 | 5 | +1 |
| Madagascar | 4 | 3 | -3 |
In the mix: Tanzania (7 points, +1 GD), Benin (7, +1), Congo DR (5, +1), Madagascar (3, -3)
Remaining fixtures:
- Tanzania-Congo
- DR Benin-Madagascar
- DR Congo-Benin
- Madagascar-Tanzania
This is the only section in which all four teams can emerge triumphant. Tanzania, who were 37th in Africa and 137th overall on the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking when qualifying began, are stunningly top on goals scored.
The Taifa Stars will entrust forwards Saimon Msuva and Mbwana Samatta with getting them over the line, but Chancel Mbemba, Dieumerci Mbokani, Cedric Bakambu and Congo DR know that all six points will send them through. Benin, meanwhile, will look to Steve Mounie to inspire them to the two victories coach Michel Dussuyer has stressed they will need to finish top.
-FIFA
Soccer chiefs from Europe and South America will hold a final meeting before a Thursday deadline to decide whether and where this month’s “Finalissima” between Spain and Argentina will be played, with London emerging as the leading candidate after doubts over Doha, multiple sources told Reuters on Tuesday.
The match between European champions Spain and Copa America holders Argentina had been scheduled for March 27 at Lusail Stadium in Doha.
However, it has become increasingly unlikely that Qatar will host the fixture after the Qatar Football Association suspended soccer tournaments indefinitely following U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran and retaliatory missiles fired at the Arabian Peninsula.
The Spanish FA (RFEF) has been pushing for a swift resolution, mindful that the March international break is viewed as vital preparation ahead of the June-July World Cup in North America.
“I know that negotiations are underway,” Spain coach Luis de la Fuente told Spanish Public Radio (RNE) on Monday. “The first thing, as a society, is to stop the conflict, but once you are immersed in it and you don’t know how long it will last, the solution would be, as long as you can’t play there, to find another venue as soon as possible.
Wembley Stadium staged the previous edition in 2022, when Argentina beat Italy, but it is set to host England v Uruguay on March 27. London, however, has other stadiums capable of staging the showpiece, leaving the English capital as the most likely alternative should Doha be ruled out, sources confirmed.
ALTERNATIVE OPPONENTS CONSIDERED
While keen to face Argentina and high-profile players such as Lionel Messi, sources told Reuters that Spain had made clear their priority was not to waste the last window of international fixtures before the World Cup and they were already contemplating alternative opponents.
With Spain also due to face Egypt three days later, any change would require agreement between the RFEF and European soccer body UEFA, South American confederation CONMEBOL, global governing body FIFA and the Argentine FA (AFA).
The RFEF, AFA and UEFA did not immediately respond to Reuters requests for comment.
A spokesperson for South American confederation CONMEBOL told Reuters that several meetings between the parties had taken place in recent days but did not confirm Thursday’s deadline or London as the preferred venue.
Madrid was initially proposed by the RFEF but rejected by the AFA, who preferred a neutral venue rather than giving Spain home advantage.
Morocco offered to stage the game, but the RFEF was unwilling to back their Mediterranean neighbours amid tensions behind the scenes over the 2030 World Cup, which Spain, Morocco and Portugal will co-host. Both Spain and Morocco are campaigning to stage the final.
Miami was also considered, with Messi based there at Inter Miami, but Hard Rock Stadium is hosting the Miami Open tennis tournament at the same time.
-Reuters
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International Football
Spain-Argentina ‘Finalissima’ in Qatar at risk amid US, Israel attacks on Iran
The match between Spain and Argentina, tagged “Finalissima” in Doha, is in doubt after the Qatar Football Association suspended soccer tournaments indefinitely following U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran and retaliatory missiles fired at the Arabian Peninsula.
The contest between European Championship winners Spain and Copa America champions Argentina was scheduled for March 27 at Doha’s Lusail Stadium, with potential big-name draws including Lamine Yamal and Lionel Messi.
“Qatar Football Association announces the postponement of all tournaments, competitions and matches, effective from today and until further notice,” the association said in a statement on Sunday.
“The new dates for the resumption of competitions will be announced in due course through the Association’s official channels.”
The final call on whether to postpone the game rests with event organisers UEFA and CONMEBOL.
The Bahrain Football Association postponed all its matches until further notice, while the Asian Football Confederation on Sunday announced it was delaying Champions League Elite fixtures in the region.
The Asian Champions League Two, currently at the quarter-final stage, has also been impacted, along with games in the Challenge League.
Countries across the Middle East have been on high alert since Saturday, when the U.S. and Israel launched air strikes against Iran, aimed at diminishing Iran’s military capability.
Iran retaliated by attacking U.S. targets around the region, including in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
On Sunday, Qatar’s interior ministry reported a fire in an industrial zone after debris fell from an intercepted missile.
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International Football
Iran Conflict Casts Uncertainty Over Super Eagles’ Four-Nation Tournament Opener
Nigeria’s Super Eagles may face fresh uncertainty ahead of their scheduled participation in a Four-Nation Invitational Tournament in Amman, Jordan, following reports that Iran — their intended first opponents — is now at war after attacks by the United States and Israel.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) had earlier confirmed that the Super Eagles would compete in the mini-tournament during the FIFA Men’s International Window in March 2026. The competition is slated to run from March 27 to 31 in the Jordanian capital.
Under the original fixture schedule, Nigeria were due to open the tournament on Friday, March 27 against Iran’s senior national team at the 17,000-capacity Amman International Stadium. Hosts Jordan were set to face Costa Rica the same day at the 62,000-capacity King Abdullah Sports City Stadium.
However, the escalating military confrontation involving Iran has cast serious doubt over the participation of the Iranian national team and the viability of the opening fixture.
While tournament organisers in Jordan have yet to issue an official statement regarding possible changes, the developing security situation is expected to force urgent consultations between the participating federations, tournament organisers and FIFA.
The competition was designed to provide competitive match exposure during a window initially reserved for the intercontinental play-off for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Nigeria’s inclusion in the tournament had already generated debate at home, with observers questioning whether the NFF’s commitment signalled a shift in focus away from potential qualification disputes.
The new geopolitical crisis further complicates matters. International conflicts often trigger travel restrictions, airspace closures and security advisories that can directly affect national teams’ ability to assemble and travel.
Should Iran withdraw or be unable to participate, organisers may be compelled to seek a replacement team or adjust the fixture format entirely.
Nigeria are scheduled to face hosts Jordan on March 31 in their second match of the tournament, while Costa Rica and Iran were originally billed to meet the same day at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium.
Kick-off times for the four fixtures had yet to be officially announced before the outbreak of hostilities.
For the Super Eagles, the tournament was seen as an opportunity to build cohesion and test tactical adjustments ahead of future competitive engagements. Now, attention will turn to whether the event can proceed as planned — and whether Nigeria’s opening match will require a late reshuffle.
The NFF is expected to monitor developments closely and may issue further clarification in the coming days as the regional and international situation evolves.
Meanwhile, Reuters has quoted a senior Israeli official as saying that Iran’s Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is dead. But the Iranians have dismissed the claim, saying that the leader is ‘firmly commanding the field’. Both Israel and the US launched strikes on Iran.
President Donald Trump says action will give Iranians a chance to topple their rulers. Hits were reported in Israel and Gulf states as Iran retaliated. The attack has triggered fear and panics as as Iranians flee cities.
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