The CAF second round of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification tournament represents the continental playoff stage where Africa’s elite battle for one final spot in the inter-confederation playoffs.
After nine group winners earned direct qualification to the World Cup, the four best runners-up from the CAF first round clash in a centralized mini-tournament held in Morocco.
This high-stakes playoff format features two semi-finals and a decisive final, with the winner securing Africa’s possible tenth World Cup berth and advancing to the FIFA Inter-Continental Play-offs in March 2026.
The CAF second round showcases the competitive depth of African football, bringing together Gabon, DR Congo, Cameroon, and Nigeria — four powerhouse nations vying for one precious ticket. Unlike traditional home-and-away fixtures, all matches are played as single-leg knockout encounters at neutral venues in Rabat, Morocco.
The tournament format ensures dramatic intensity from the opening semi-finals through the climactic final, with no room for error as each team fights for survival.
2026 FIFA World Cup African Qualifiers – CAF Second Round Qualified Teams
The four best runners-up from the CAF first round advanced to the playoff stage:
| Pos | Group | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | F | Gabon | 8 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 15 | 9 | +6 | 19 |
| 2 | B | DR Congo | 8 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 10 | 5 | +5 | 16 |
| 3 | D | Cameroon | 8 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 14 | 5 | +9 | 15 |
| 4 | C | Nigeria | 8 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 13 | 6 | +7 | 15 |
- Semi-Final 1: Nigeria vs Gabon
- Semi-Final 2: Cameroon vs DR Congo
CAF Second round qualification Schedule and Fixtures
All matches are hosted in Morocco from November 13-16, 2025:
| Match | Date | Fixture | Stadiums |
|---|---|---|---|
| Semi-Final 1 | Thursday, 13 Nov 17:00 Local (16:00 GMT) | Nigeria vs Gabon | Moulay Hassan Stadium, Rabat |
| Semi-Final 2 | Thursday, 13 Nov 20:00 Local (19:00 GMT) | Cameroon vs DR Congo | Al Barid Stadium, Rabat |
| Final | Sunday, 16 Nov TBD | Winner SF1 vs Winner SF2 | Moulay Hassan Stadium, Rabat |
Format: Single-leg knockout matches. If scores are level after regulation, 30 minutes of extra time will be played, with each team allowed a sixth substitution. If still tied, a penalty shootout will determine the winner.
Points Table (Pre-Matches)
Here is the initial status of the four qualified teams:
| Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nigeria | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Gabon | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Cameroon | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| DR Congo | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
The CAF second-round winner will move on to the FIFA Inter-Continental Play-off Tournament in March 2026, where they’ll face teams from other confederations, including one each from AFC, CONCACAF, Oceania, South America, and an intercontinental playoff bracket, to compete for the remaining World Cup spots worldwide.
This represents the culmination of Africa’s qualification journey toward Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
