Equatorial Guinea produced the day’s most dramatic turnaround, rallying from two goals down at half-time to beat São Tomé and Príncipe 3–2, as a busy window of CAF World Cup 2026 qualifiers delivered significant moves in Groups H, I, A and D.

Group H – São Tomé and Príncipe 2–3 Equatorial Guinea

São Tomé seemed in complete control after a relentless first half.

Lumungo converted from the spot on eight minutes and struck a second penalty on 42 minutes, either side of a finish from Reis Tavares Semedo (37’) to open up a 2–0 lead.

But Equatorial Guinea reset during the interval and came flying out. Pablo Ganet halved the deficit with a low strike on 53 minutes, Iban Salvador levelled nine minutes later, and the comeback was complete when Nabil tucked away the winner on 70 minutes after a sweeping move down the right.

The result lifts Equatorial Guinea to the edge of the runners-up race behind leaders Tunisia and second-placed Namibia, while São Tomé remain bottom without a point.

Group I – Madagascar 2–0 Central African Republic

Madagascar underlined their rapid progress with a controlled win that moves them firmly into the Group I argument.

Caddy broke the deadlock in first-half stoppage time (45+2’) after a bright opening, and Randrianantenaina doubled the lead on 59 minutes, both goals arriving from incisive work by Raheriniaina, who was involved in the build-up to each.

The Barea were compact without the ball and managed the remainder without alarm.

Victory sends Madagascar to 13 points, tightening the chase on leaders Ghana (16) before the Black Stars host Mali (9) later in the window; Comoros (12) also remain firmly in the mix.

Group A – Guinea-Bissau 1–1 Sierra Leone

Guinea-Bissau salvaged a point after Sierra Leone took a late first-half lead. The Leone Stars went ahead on 45+1 minutes when K. Kamara finished off a quick transition, moments after J. Encada had been booked for the hosts.

The home side made three changes just past the hour and the pressure finally told as Mama Baldé equalised midway through the second period (listed at 73’), steering in after sustained pressure.

Both teams chased a late winner—Sierra Leone turned to Buya Turay and Fornah off the bench—but a draw keeps the Leone Stars at eight points and the Djurtus on seven, with Egypt (16) and Burkina Faso (11) still dictating the top of the section.

Group D – Angola 0–1 Libya; Mauritius 0–2 Cape Verde

Libya earned an eye-catching away win in Luanda, striking shortly after half-time. Ezo El Mariamy met a low cross to sweep in the decisive goal on 48 minutes, moments before Jaddour was booked as the visitors dug in.

Angola had introduced M’Bala Nzola and Maestro at the break and later pushed Fortuna and Clinton Mata higher up the pitch, but clear chances were scarce against Libya’s disciplined block.

A late yellow card for Saleh (90+7’) underlined the intensity as Libya protected a precious three points that keep them in touch with the top two.

Elsewhere in the group, Cape Verde negotiated a potentially awkward trip to Mauritius, winning 2–0 to maintain control of the pool ahead of a looming top-of-the-table meeting with Cameroon.

The Blue Sharks’ result, coupled with Libya’s victory, tightens the race for the play-off picture behind the frontrunners.

What it means

• Group H: Equatorial Guinea’s comeback lifts them to 10 points, a timely jolt to their campaign behind Tunisia (16) and Namibia (12).
• Group I: Madagascar move to 13 points and sits between Ghana (16) and Comoros (12), with Mali (9) still dangerous.
• Group A: Guinea-Bissau and Sierra Leone share the points; Egypt and Burkina Faso retain a healthy cushion at the summit.
• Group D: Cape Verde stay out in front after victory in Mauritius, while Libya’s win in Angola keeps their challenge alive.

With another matchday to come in this window, fine margins—particularly among the runners-up—could yet decide who remains on course for North America.

-CAFonline

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Morocco is planning to set up judicial committees in stadiums to swiftly handle potential offences by fans during the 2030 FIFA World Cup it will co-host with Spain and Portugal, justice minister Abdellatif Ouahbi said.

The move is among various judicial reforms taking place ahead of the tournament to prevent courts from being overwhelmed by minor cases, Ouahbi told Reuters.

“Committees presided over by prosecutors, working with judicial and security services inside stadiums, will ensure swift handling of incidents while respecting due process,” he said in written responses to questions.

Morocco expects the event to boost visitor arrivals to 26 million in 2030, up from 17.4 million in 2024.

To shape its legal strategy, Morocco is examining previous sporting events, including recent Olympic Games and past World Cups, the minister added.

Morocco will sign a judicial cooperation agreement with Spain and Portugal to speed up any potential extraditions or case transfers, and to provide mutual legal assistance, Ouahbi said.

It is currently revising family and penal codes and introducing alternative penalties – such as electronic bracelets- to reduce prison overcrowding, which is partly driven by high rates of pre-trial detention.

Concerning alcohol consumption in fan zones, Ouahbi said Morocco had always been able to balance its cultural traditions with openness and “international expectations.”

While alcohol is available in predominantly Muslim Morocco, public drinking is banned.

“Discussions are ongoing about possible regulatory frameworks to address practices common among international supporters, including alcohol consumption, strictly within designated zones and under clearly defined conditions,” he said.

Additional preparations would include multilingual judicial counters to assist foreign visitors, specialized training for judges in sports, tourism, and consumer disputes, and expanded use of mediation and alternative dispute resolution to ease court workloads, he said.

“The 2030 World Cup will not only be a sporting celebration but also a demonstration of Morocco’s political will to modernise its legal system and show that justice can serve both citizens and international partners,” Ouahbi said.

Morocco has announced major infrastructure upgrades ahead of the tournament, including new stadiums, expanded rail and airport networks, increased hotel capacity, and urban renovations.

-Reuters

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Lionel Messi is set to play his final World Cup qualifier in Argentina on Thursday, while four South American teams are still competing for the remaining automatic places at the 2026 tournament in what could be a dramatic climax.

The 38-year-old Argentina captain will take to the pitch at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires to face Venezuela in what he describes as a very special match, with his family set to be in attendance, including his wife, children, parents and siblings.

“It’s going to be very special for me because it will be my last qualifying match. I don’t know if there will be friendlies or more matches after that,” the eight-times Ballon d’Or winner said last week.

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni told reporters on Wednesday that it was “going to be emotional, special and beautiful”.

“If it really is the last qualifying match, we have to enjoy it,” he said.

While Argentina have secured their World Cup berth, topping the table in South America’s qualifying competition with 35 points, three automatic qualification spots are still to be determined ahead of Thursday’s fixtures and the final matchday on September 9.

Ecuador and Brazil are already qualified with 25 points, followed by Uruguay and Paraguay with 24 points each and Colombia with 22 points. Venezuela with 18 points remain in contention, chasing a first World Cup appearance.

Ecuador’s remarkable recovery stands as one of the campaign’s most compelling storylines, having overcome a three-point penalty for a player eligibility issue to successfully secure qualification.

Brazil’s journey has been far bumpier, marked by coaching upheaval that saw Dorival Junior replaced following a 4-1 away defeat to Argentina, after which Carlo Ancelotti made his debut in a goalless draw with Ecuador.

The qualifying cycle has produced many memorable moments, such as Colombia’s first ever World Cup qualifying win over Brazil when they earned a stunning 2–1 victory in Barranquilla in November 2023.

Uruguay also bade an emotional farewell to their captain, Luis Suarez, who retired from international football during the 0–0 draw with Paraguay in September 2024.

Thursday’s fixtures see Paraguay face Ecuador, Argentina take on Venezuela, Uruguay meet Peru, Colombia host Bolivia and Brazil play Chile.

If matters aren’t already settled, then the final matchday on Tuesday will determine the last automatic qualifiers for the global showdown next June and July, which will be hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States.

-Reuters

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