The Moroccan capital, Rabat, will host the 2026 African World Cup qualifying play-offs, featuring four powerhouse teams: Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, and Nigeria. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) confirmed the decision, citing Morocco’s world-class sporting facilities and successful track record in hosting major football events.
The play-offs are scheduled to take place from November 13 to 16, 2025, with the semi-finals happening on November 13 at the Prince Héritier Moulay El Hassan Stadium and the Al Barid Stadium, both in Rabat. The final will be played on November 16 at the Prince Héritier Moulay El Hassan Stadium. Nigeria will face Gabon in the first semi-final, while Cameroon takes on DR Congo in the second semi-final.
The winner of the mini-tournament will advance to the six-nation intercontinental play-offs in March 2026, competing for two remaining World Cup slots. The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen and Gabon’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang are expected to be key players in the tournament.
Cameroon, with eight World Cup appearances, aims to extend its record, while DR Congo seeks to qualify for the second time. The stakes are high, with only one team advancing to the global play-offs. Morocco’s selection as host underscores its reliability in organizing international football competitions.
