National Teams
CAF confirms Morocco as host for 2026 World Cup playoff tournament
By Dayo Awoniyi
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially unveiled the format for the 2026 FIFA World Cup African playoff tournament, confirming that the competition will take place in Morocco from November 13 to 16, 2025.
The tournament will feature the four best second-placed teams from the nine CAF World Cup qualifying groups. These teams will compete for the continent’s final ticket to the intercontinental playoffs, offering one last chance to qualify for the World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
According to CAF, the format will consist of two semi-final fixtures to be played on November 13. The highest-ranked team—based on FIFA’s October 2025 rankings—will face the fourth-best, while the second and third-ranked teams will contest the other semi-final.
The winners will meet in the final on November 16, with the victor advancing to the intercontinental playoff round, where one final World Cup spot will be up for grabs.
In the event of a draw during any match, extra time and penalties will be used to determine the winner.
CAF stated that the playoff format reflects its commitment to fairness and competitive balance, ensuring that high-performing teams who narrowly miss out on direct qualification still have a pathway to the global stage.
With nine African teams set to qualify automatically as group winners, this mini-tournament will complete the continent’s representation at the expanded 48-team World Cup.
Hosting the tournament in Morocco—a country that has emerged as a leading hub for major African football events—adds further prestige and excitement to what is shaping up to be a high-stakes climax to the qualification campaign.
