The journey to the 2026 FIFA World Cup continues this week for four African teams in a playoff tournament, www.aclsports.com reports.
Nigeria, Gabon, Cameroon, and DR Congo are the four teams entering this playoff tournament in Rabat, Morocco, with only the winner getting Africa’s slot at the inter-continental play-offs in Mexico next year.
In the semi-final pairings, Nigeria will face Gabon, while Cameroon faces DR Congo in the other semi-final. The African play-offs run from Thursday 13 November to Sunday 16 November 2025, with both semi-finals and the final staged in Morocco’s capital.
The Super Eagles of Nigeria booked their spot in the tournament dramatically last month, and they will be keen to take that same form into the mini-tournament in Rabat starting from Thursday when they face Gabon.
TOURNAMENT FORMAT AT A GLANCE
Competition: CAF African playoff (centralised mini-tournament)
Dates: 13–16 November 2025 (Rabat, Morocco)
Teams: Nigeria, Cameroon, DR Congo, Gabon
Structure: Two single-match semi-finals, then a single-match final.
Prize: Place in the FIFA Inter-Continental Play-Off (March 2026) for Africa’s possible 10th World Cup slot
SQUAD LISTS FOR TOURNAMENT
Nigeria
Eric Chelle has called in-form Victor Osimhen, Alex Iwobi, and other mainstays of the team for this task in Rabat. He opted against handing out invites to newbies and has stuck with the old guard.
Cameroon
Despite the off-field drama in the squad, Cameroon have also called up its stars for the tournament in Rabat. Goalkeeper André Onana, André-Frank Zambo Anguissa, and Vincent Aboubakar are part of the squad.
DR Congo
The Leopards will be missing Yoane Wissa in the tournament, but they have Chancel Mbemba, Axel Tuanzebe, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, and Cedric Bakambu to rely upon.
Gabon
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang needs no introduction, as he spearheads the Panthers’ squad to Morocco. He is joined by the likes of Mario Lemina, Denis Bouanga, and Bryan Meyo.
VENUES, FIXTURES and KICK-OFF TIMES
Semi-finals – Thursday, 13 November (Rabat)
Match 1: Nigeria vs Gabon – (17:00 Nigerian time, Prince Moulay El Hassan Sports Complex)
Match 2: Cameroon vs DR Congo – (20:00 Nigerian time, El Barid Stadium)
Final – Sunday, 16 November (Rabat)
Prince Héritier Moulay El Hassan Stadium – 20:00 Nigerian time
WHAT IS AT STAKE
The playoff winner moves on to the FIFA Inter-Continental PlayOff Tournament in March 2026. Win there, and they join Africa’s nine direct qualifiers at FIFA World Cup 2026—completing the continent’s contingent.
