The fifth and sixth days of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers kick off across Africa today, March 19, 2025, with a full slate of matches ahead that could shape the path to the tournament.
Morocco, fresh off a stellar performance in the previous World Cup where they became the first African team to reach the semifinals, aims to continue their winning streak. Having won their first three matches in the qualifiers—including a commanding 6-0 victory against Congo—they look poised to secure their spot in the upcoming tournament. The Lions of the Atlas will face Niger in Oujda on March 21, 2025, before taking on Tanzania later in the week.
In Group B, Tunisia sits comfortably at the top with 10 points, determined to maintain their dominance against Liberia today and Malawi on March 24. Meanwhile, Cameroon, boasting 8 points, will play Eswatini in South Africa and later take on Libya on March 25. The stakes are high as only the top team from each group automatically qualifies for the World Cup.
Senegal, under the guidance of new coach Pape Thiaw, will also be in action, looking to secure crucial points against Sudan, who has a slight advantage with two more points than Senegal. This match will take place in Libya, where the competition will be fierce.
Other notable matches today include the face-off between Liberia and Tunisia, along with Eswatini hosting Cameroon. For football enthusiasts, these qualifiers promise exhilarating performances from the continent’s top teams.
For the Comoros, currently leading Group I, the pressure will be on as they seek to uphold their position against Mali, while Nigeria desperately needs a victory against Rwanda to revive their hopes of advancement after a rocky start, currently sitting at just three points.
As the qualifiers unfold, African teams are showcasing their talent and determination. Egypt and the Ivory Coast, both with 10 points, find themselves in prime positions to edge closer to qualification, facing Ethiopia and Burundi respectively this week.
The fifth-day program features multiple matches across various groups:
- Group A: Sierra Leone will play against Guinea-Bissau on March 20.
- Group B: RD Congo faces South Sudan on March 21.
- Group C: Zimbabwe plays Benin, and Rwanda takes on Nigeria on March 21.
- Group D: Eswatini clashes with Cameroon today.
- Group E: Niger will battle Morocco on March 21.
- Group F: Gambia hosts Kenya, and Gabon takes on Seychelles on March 20.
- Group G: Mozambique goes against Uganda on March 20, while Botswana competes with Algeria on March 21.
- Group H: Liberia hosts Tunisia, and Malawi faces Namibia on March 20.
- Group I: Central African Republic plays Madagascar; Comoros face Mali on March 20.
The following week will see another round of fixtures where teams will continue to vie for a coveted place in the 2026 World Cup.
This tournament, to be held across the United States, Canada, and Mexico from June 11 to July 19, will see the world’s best competing for footballing glory. Only the first-placed team in each of the nine qualifying groups will qualify directly, with the four best second-placed teams entering a play-off to secure one of the final spots.
As the week progresses and matches unfold, fans across Africa and the world will be eagerly watching to see which teams emerge victoriously and secure their spots in this prestigious tournament.
