CAF Unveils Format For 2026 World Cup African Play-offs

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially announced the format for the African play-off tournament for the 2026 World Cup, set to take place in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. This new structure aims to provide teams across the continent with an additional opportunity to secure a place in the global tournament.

Under the new format, the top nine teams in each qualifying group will earn direct qualification to the World Cup. Meanwhile, the four best runners-up will compete in a mini-knockout tournament in Morocco, scheduled from November 13 to 16, 2025. This decisive event will determine the final African representative for the intercontinental play-offs.

The tournament will kick off with semi-finals on November 13, featuring the highest-ranked team facing off against the fourth-ranked team, while the second and third-ranked teams will compete against each other. The two winners from the semi-finals will then vie for victory in the final, set for November 16. In the event of a draw after regulation time, the match will proceed to extra time, followed by a penalty shootout if necessary.

To establish the seeding for the tournament, the October 2025 FIFA rankings will be utilised. This innovative approach seeks to offer four African nations a final chance to join the nine teams that have already secured their spots for the eagerly anticipated 2026 World Cup.
As anticipation builds ahead of the tournament, CAF’s initiative is expected to heighten competitive spirit across the continent, aiming for success on the world stage.