World Cup
CAF confirm dates and times for June’s World Cup 2026 African Qualifiers
The African Nations will resume their road to qualification for the FIFA World Cup 2026 next week.
Match Day 3 and Match Day 4 of the Qualifiers will be played between 05-11 June 2024.
Nine African teams are guaranteed to compete at the World Cup. Another will participate in the Play-off Tournament as the global showpiece will host 48 teams for the first time ever.
Winners of each Group will automatically qualify for the FIFA World Cup™ 2026.
The four best runners-up (from the Groups) will play in a CAF Play-Off tournament.
The winner of the CAF Play-Off Tournament will play in the FIFA Play-off Tournament.
Below are the fixtures for the matches to be played over the next seven days. (all kick-off times in GMT)
Match Day 3
Wednesday – 05 June, 2024
Sierra Leone v Djibouti (Group A) | 1600 | El Jadida, Morocco
Togo v South Sudan (Group B) | 1600 | Lome, Togo
Central African Republic v Chad (Group I) | 1600 | Oujda, Morocco
Namibia v Liberia (Group H) | 1600 | Johannesburg, South Africa
Tunisia v Equatorial Guinea (Group H) | 1900 | Rades, Tunisia
Thursday – 06 June, 2024
Malawi v Sao Tome e Principe (Group H) | 1300 | Lilongwe, Malawi
Guinea Bissau v Ethiopia (Group A) | 1600 | Bissau, Guinea Bissau
Mauritania v Sudan (Group B) | 1600 | Nouakchott, Mauritania
Libya v Mauritius (Group D) | 1600 | Tripoli, Libya
Congo v Niger (Group E) | 1600 | Kinshasa, DR Congo
Egypt v Burkina Faso (Group A) | 1900 | Cairo, Egypt
Senegal v DR Congo (Group B) | 1900 | Diamniadio, Senegal
Benin v Rwanda (Group C) | 1900 | Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire
Algeria v Guinea (Group G) | 1900 | Algiers, Algeria
Mali v Ghana (Group I) | 1900 | Bamako, Mali
Friday – 07 June, 2024
Zimbabwe v Lesotho (Group C) | 1300 | Johannesburg, South Africa
Mozambique v Somalia (Group G) | 1300 | Maputo, Mozambique
Kenya v Burundi (Group F) | 1300 | Lilongwe, Malawi
Uganda v Botswana (Group G) | 1600 | Namboole, Uganda
Madagascar v Comoros (Group I) | 1600 | Johannesburg, South Africa
Angola v Eswatini (Group D) | 1600 | Luanda, Angola
Nigeria v South Africa (Group C) | 1900 | Uyo, Nigeria
Morocco v Zambia (Group E) | 1900 | Agadir, Morocco
Cote d’Ivoire v Gabon (Group F) | 1900 | Korhogo, Cote d’Ivoire
Saturday – 08 June, 2024
Cameroon v Cape Verde (Group D) | 1300 | Douala, Cameroon
Gambia v Seychelles (Group F) | 1600 | Berkane, Morocco
Match Day 4
Sunday – 09 June, 2024
Sao Tome e Principe v Liberia (Group H) | 1300 | Oudja, Morocco
Djibouti v Ethiopia (Group A) | 1600 | El Jadida, Morocco
Congo DR v Togo (Group B) | 1600 | Kinshasa, DR Congo
Mauritania v Senegal (Group B) | 1600 | Nouachott, Mauritania
Namibia v Tunisia (Group H) | 1600 | Johannesburg, South Africa
Monday – 10 June, 2024
Somalia v Botswana (Group G) | 1300 | Maputo, Mozambique
Equatorial Guinea v Malawi (Group H) | 1300 | Malabo, Equatorial Guinea
Madagascar v Mali (Group I) | 1300 | Johannesburg, South Africa
Guinea Bissau v Egypt (Group A) | 1600 | Bissau, Guinea Bissau
Benin v Nigeria (Group C) | 1600 | Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire
Uganda v Algeria (Group G) | 1600 | Namboole, Uganda
Guinea v Mozambique (Group G) | 1900 | El Jadida, Morocco
Ghana v Central African Republic (Group I) | 1900 | Kumasi, Ghana
Burkina Faso v Sierra Leone (Group A) | 1900 | Bamako, Mali
Tuesday – 11 June, 2024
South Sudan v Sudan (Group B) | 1300 | Juba, South Sudan
Mauritius v Eswatini (Group G) | 1300 | St. Pierre, Mauritius
Zambia v Tanzania (Group E) | 1300 | Ndola, Zambia
Kenya v Cote d’Ivoire (Group F) | 1300 | Lilongwe, Malawi
Lesotho v Rwanda (Group C) | 1600 | Durban, South Africa
Cape Verde v Libya (Group D) | 1600 | Praia, Cape Verde
South Africa v Zimbabwe (Group C) | 1600 | Bloemfontein, South Africa
Congo v Morocco (Group E) | 1600 | Kinshasa, DR Congo
Chad v Comoros (Group I) | 1600 | Oujda, Morocco
Angola v Cameroon (Group D) | 1900 | Luanda, Angola
Gabon v Gambia (Group F) | 1900 | Franceville, Gabon
Seychelles v Burundi (Group F) | 1900 | Berkane, Morocco
-CAF
BY KUNLE SOLAJA, NEW YORK
Uruguay will look to maintain their unbeaten FIFA World Cup record against African opposition when they take on tournament debutants Cabo Verde in a crucial Group H encounter on Sunday.
The two-time world champions face a Cabo Verde side brimming with confidence after the island nation earned a remarkable goalless draw against Spain in their previous outing, one of the biggest results in their football history.
Uruguay have never lost to an African team at the World Cup, recording three victories and two draws in five previous meetings. However, the South Americans know they cannot afford complacency against a Cabo Verde side that has already demonstrated its ability to frustrate established football powers.
For Cabo Verde, the match represents another opportunity to enhance their growing reputation on the global stage. The Blue Sharks impressed observers with their disciplined defensive display against Spain and will be eager to prove that result was no fluke.
Uruguay, meanwhile, will rely on their vast World Cup experience as they seek maximum points and a stronger foothold in the race for a place in the knockout rounds.
With confidence high in both camps, the clash promises to be a fascinating contest between one of football’s traditional giants and one of the tournament’s most inspiring newcomers.
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BY KUNLE SOLAJA, NEW YORK
Spain will attempt to strengthen their position in Group H when they face Saudi Arabia in a FIFA World Cup encounter that rekindles memories of their previous meeting two decades ago.
The two nations last met at the World Cup during the 2006 tournament in Germany, when a solitary goal from Juanito secured a 1-0 victory for Spain in Kaiserslautern.
La Roja enter the fixture determined to return to winning ways after being held to a surprise draw by tournament debutants Cabo Verde. The Spanish side will be keen to avoid another setback as the group stage enters a decisive phase.
Saudi Arabia, however, have ambitions of creating history. The Green Falcons are seeking their first World Cup victory against European opposition since their memorable 1-0 triumph over Belgium at the 1994 tournament in the United States.
A positive result would significantly boost Saudi Arabia’s hopes of progressing to the knockout stage while adding another notable chapter to their World Cup story.
With both teams aware of the importance of the fixture, Sunday’s encounter could prove pivotal in shaping the final Group H standings.
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BY KUNLE SOLAJA, NEW YORK
Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois stands on the brink of history as the Red Devils prepare to face Iran in a crucial Group G match at the FIFA World Cup.
The veteran shot-stopper could equal Belgium’s record of 17 World Cup appearances if selected, underlining his status as one of the country’s most enduring and influential players.
Belgium will be looking for a strong performance as they continue their quest for qualification from a competitive group, but they face an Iranian side buoyed by the form of defender-turned-goalscorer Ramin Rezaeian.
Rezaeian has emerged as one of Iran’s most surprising attacking weapons and is aiming to score in a fourth consecutive international match, a feat that would further enhance his growing reputation.
The clash pits Belgium’s experience and pedigree against Iran’s determination and resilience, with both teams fully aware that a positive result could prove decisive in the battle for a place in the knockout rounds.
As the stakes rise in Group G, individual milestones and team ambitions are set to collide in what promises to be an intriguing contest.
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