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
International Football
Former Chelsea manager, Pochettino takes over US men’s team
Former Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino has been named new coach of the United States men’s team, U.S. Soccer announced on Tuesday.
Pochettino, who parted ways with Premier League side Chelsea in May after one season in charge, will take the reins of the national team ahead of the 2026 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by Mexico, Canada and the United States.
The Argentine, a former Paris St Germain and Tottenham Hotspur manager, said his decision to join U.S. soccer was not just about football, but about the journey the country was on and he could not pass up the opportunity.
“The energy, the passion, and the hunger to achieve something truly historic here – those are the things that inspired me,” he said in a statement.
“I see a group of players full of talent and potential, and together, we’re going to build something special that the whole nation can be proud of.”
U.S. Soccer Sporting Director Matt Crocker said Pochettino was a “serial winner with a deep passion for developing players”.
“His track record speaks for itself, and I am confident that he is the right choice to harness the immense potential within our talented squad. We are thrilled to have Mauricio on board as we embark on this exciting journey to achieve success on the global stage.”
The U.S. have been without a permanent coach since a humiliating early exit from the Copa America on home soil in July led to the sacking of Gregg Berhalter after his second stint as head coach.
The 51-year-old boss was first appointed in 2018 and led the Americans to the knockout stages of the 2022 World Cup, but just weeks later found himself embroiled in a bitter public row with one of the team’s brightest emerging talents, Gio Reyna.
U.S. Soccer’s search for a new coach when Berhalter’s contract expired at the end of 2022 included names such as Canada coach Jesse Marsch, but they ultimately rehired Berhalter in June last year with the full support of the players.
However, it proved unsuccessful as the U.S. failed to progress beyond the group stages of the Copa America after a shock 2-1 defeat to Panama and a crushing 1-0 loss to Uruguay.
Pochettino will take over after Mikey Varas, who has been appointed interim coach, oversaw friendlies against Canada last Saturday and New Zealand on Tuesday.
The U.S. drew 1-1 with New Zealand in Cincinnati after Christian Pulisic’s goal was cancelled out by Ben Waine’s late equaliser.
The U.S. will next play friendlies against Panama on Oct. 12 and Mexico three days later.
-Reuters
International Football
BREAKING – Video: Osimhen accepts to join Galatasaray
At last, Nigeria’s striker Victor Osimhen is out of the limbo. He has accepted to join Galatasaray on loan.
He is now asking for a release clause at Napoli to become €75m instead of €130m
He also wants a break clause for January in case top clubs approach him over move.
The final points are being discussed. He has been videoed celebrating with the Turkey club’s fans.
International Football
Uruguay striker Suarez to play last international match on Friday
Uruguay striker Luis Suarez announced his international retirement on Monday, ending a 17-year career with his national team as their top scorer with 69 goals.
The 37-year-old, who has 142 caps for his country, made his international debut in 2007 and was key in the squad that reached the semi-finals of the 2010 World Cup and won the Copa America a year later.
“Friday will be my last match with my country’s national team,” an emotional Suarez told a press conference.
“The fact that is my decision to retire and that I’m not retired because of injuries or that they stop calling me for one thing or another, that gives me a lot of comfort, it helps me individually.
“It’s difficult but it gives me peace of mind that until the last game I have given my all, and that flame has not been extinguished little by little,” the striker added.
Uruguay take on Paraguay at the Centenario stadium in Montevideo on Friday in the South American qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup before facing Venezuela four days later.
Suarez scored the stoppage-time goal against Canada that secured third place at the Copa America in July and the striker added that one of his aims was to show he could continue to contribute to the national team.
“My dream was for my children to see me win something important with the national team … that last goal was very nice for them and even though it wasn’t a trophy to take home, it was very nice for them,” he said.
“I wanted to show people again that I can continue to contribute to the national team and, well, I had the Copa America and yes, I could have done it (retired) perfectly after that, but having analysed the situation, I want to do it with my people, in my stadium.
“I want my children to live this experience. Saying goodbye with the people here is something that I don’t know if many have done.”
Suarez has already said Inter Miami will be his last club after joining the Major League Soccer side last year to reunite with former Barcelona teammates Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba.
-Reuters
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