The hunt for a spot in the 2026 World Cup is heating up as the African qualifiers progress with intense competition among national teams. With several thrilling matches scheduled, fans are eagerly anticipating how their teams will perform on the road to the World Cup, set to be jointly hosted by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.
On Tuesday, March 18, 2025, the Moroccan National Team "A," known as the Lions de l'Atlas, conducted their second training session at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in preparation for the 5th and 6th matchdays of the Africa Zone qualifiers (Group E) for the upcoming World Cup. The session focused intensively on technical and tactical aspects under the guidance of the coaching staff, with all members of the squad present and ready to showcase their skills against upcoming opponents.
Morocco, who has performed remarkably well so far by winning all four of their matches, looks to solidify their lead in Group E with a match against Niger on Friday, March 21, 2025, at the Complexe d'honneur d'Oujda, starting at 9:30 PM. A win there would put them in a very strong position for qualification.
Les Lions de l’Atlas currently dominate their group after Eritrea's withdrawal, seriously boosting Morocco's chances of participating in the World Cup next year. The team has demonstrated impressive performances, scoring ten goals without conceding a single one in their latest matches.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian team faces a do-or-die situation as they prepare to battle against Rwanda and Zimbabwe in the qualifiers, having gathered only three points so far and languishing at the bottom of their group. This task will not be easy as the Super Eagles, Nigeria's nickname, need to secure a minimum of four points in their upcoming fixtures to keep their World Cup hopes alive.
Across the continent, the qualifiers are set to feature a plethora of engaging matchups from March 19 to March 25, 2025. Notably, on the opening day, Eswatini will take on Cameroon in a crucial matchup for both teams, while the long-awaited fixture between Liberia and Tunisia will also kick off on the same date. Tunisia is currently second in Group H, trailing behind the Eagles with 10 points, showing an alarming level of consistency throughout their qualifying matches.
The current standings show several teams in gripping competition. For instance, Egypt sits comfortably at the top of Group A after winning three matches and drawing one, amassing 10 points overall. Sudan leads Group B after four matchdays, with Nigeria in grave danger of elimination. The pressure is intense, especially for teams like Cameroon and Algeria, who must clinch victories to bolster their standings.
Namibian fans are on high alert as their country is currently in solid contention with 8 points in Group H. Liberia, occupying third place, has the chance to leapfrog Tunisia should they manage a victory in their upcoming matchup. The stage is set for an exciting contest; however, the focus is undeniably on Tunisia's continuity in their performance, as they will aim to secure qualification with two remaining matches.
In another highlight, the Comoros team has been making waves in Group I, currently leading after a few matches. This team has managed to outperform expectations, and their next matches against Mali on March 20 and Chad on March 25, both occurring in Berkane, Morocco, could prove pivotal as they look to maintain their spot. Ben Boina, the current goalkeeper for SAS Épinal, has been chosen to represent the Comoros, emphasizing the growing talent coming from smaller footballing nations.
As the qualifiers continue, many eyes will be glued to the screens on March 21, 2025, for various captivating matchups and critical outcomes. For example, in Group E, the highly anticipated clash between Niger and Morocco will draw attention, especially with Morocco poised to potentially secure their place at the World Cup with yet another victory.
Throughout this qualification phase for the 2026 World Cup, every match counts, as the top team from each group secures a spot in the World Cup, and the four best second-place teams will enter a playoffs tournament in November 2025. The weight of this competition is palpable, not just for teams but also for fans whose passion runs deep, eager to see their nations succeed on the world stage.
As we move deeper into the qualifiers, every goal, tackle, and save may very well change the landscape of African football's representation in the 2026 World Cup. With so many storylines unfolding, the coming days will undoubtedly be crucial in determining which teams will be making history.
