The Confederation of African Football announced on Wednesday that the 2026 African World Cup qualifying play-offs between Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, and Nigeria will take place in Rabat, Morocco.
Nigeria will meet Gabon in the first semi-final on November 13, with two outstanding attackers, Turkey-based Victor Osimhen and Marseille’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
Osimhen’s hat-trick against Benin Republic in a group match this month enabled Nigeria advance to the play-offs on goal difference at the cost of Burkina Faso.
Later on November 13, at a different venue, DR Congo face Cameroon, whose eight World Cup appearances is an African record.
This semi-final is likely to involve Manchester United striker Bryan Mbeumo, whose brace against Brighton last weekend helped lift the Red Devils to sixth in the Premier League.
DR Congo are hoping to qualify a second time. The country was called Zaire when they featured in the 1974 World Cup, and three losses including a 9-0 thrashing by Yugoslavia.
The mini tournament winners advance to six-nation intercontinental play-offs next March at a venue to be confirmed. Two places at the World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico will be up for grabs.
Bolivia and New Caledonia have secured places at the tournament, Iraq or UAE will represent Asia, and Curacao and Costa Rica are the frontrunners to fill the two Caribbean/Central American slots.
