Africa’s Road to World Cup 2026: March Match Outlook

Africa's World Cup 2026 Qualifying Hopes: What to Expect in the March Matches

22 March 2025

Africa's journey towards the 2026 FIFA World Cup resumes this week after a nine-month break, with key qualifying matches unfolding across the continent. The latest round of fixtures will be pivotal in determining which nations edge closer to earning a coveted spot in the expanded 48-team tournament, set to be hosted across Canada, Mexico, and the United States.

Key Results So Far

Several fixtures played on Thursday and Friday have already set the tone:

• DR Congo narrowly edged South Sudan 1-0

• Nigeria secured a 2-0 away win over Rwanda

• South Africa comfortably beat Lesotho 2-0

• Kenya played out a thrilling 3-3 draw with Gambia

• Ghana overwhelmed Chad 5-0

Meanwhile, Tanzania are set to face group leaders Morocco away on Wednesday.

Each group contains six teams, with each nation playing 10 matches. This month’s two fixtures per team will be crucial, as only the nine group winners will automatically qualify for the World Cup.

Coaching Changes Ahead of Round Five

Several managerial shifts have occurred since the last round in June 2024. Prominent among them are Nigeria, Senegal, and Tunisia, all of which have appointed new head coaches.

Nigeria: Eric Chelle Era Begins

Nigeria, a traditional African powerhouse, finds itself in unfamiliar territory—winless and trailing Group C leaders Rwanda by four points. New coach Eric Chelle, a former Mali boss, becomes the first non-Nigerian African to lead the Super Eagles.

The team will first travel to Kigali before hosting Zimbabwe. Star striker Victor Osimhen voiced the squad’s determination to return to the global stage after missing the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Mali: Saintfiet Looks to Inspire

Tom Saintfiet, now at the helm of Mali, faces the task of narrowing a four-point gap behind Group I leaders Comoros. Mali has never reached a World Cup, but following an unbeaten group stage at the recent AFCON 2025 qualifiers, the Belgian coach remains optimistic.

“With four wins and two draws from six games, I remain hopeful,” Saintfiet said.

In the same group, Ghana—still recovering from their failure to qualify for AFCON 2025—will take on Chad and Madagascar.

More New Coaches and Tactical Shifts

• Corentin Martins has taken charge of Madagascar, while former Cameroon legend Rigobert Song now leads the Central African Republic.

• In Group B, Senegal have seen a change at the top with Pape Thiaw replacing Aliou Cissé. Thiaw previously served as Cissé’s assistant.
  Senegal finished AFCON 2025 qualifiers unbeaten and will face group leaders Sudan in Benghazi, Libya, followed by a home clash with Togo. However, they will be without injured Premier League forwards Nicolas Jackson and Iliman Ndiaye.

Pharaohs on the Rise

In Group A, Egypt currently lead by four points. Star forward Mohamed Salah, who was rested during the latter part of the AFCON 2025 qualifiers, has returned in top form for Liverpool and is set to feature in matches against Ethiopia and Sierra Leone.

Sierra Leone's new head coach, Mohammed Kallon, has selected a blend of youth and experience, calling up 40-year-old veteran Kei Kamara and young Manchester City defender Juma Bah.

Tunisia, Ivory Coast, and Kenya Target Progress

• Sami Trabelsi has returned for a second spell as Tunisia boss, with the team two points clear at the top of Group H.

• Ivory Coast, reigning AFCON champions, lead Group F by a single point.

• In Group F, Kenya—under new head coach Benni McCarthy—hope to qualify for their first-ever World Cup. They currently trail by five points.

Group D and the Battle of Giants

Cameroon, aiming for an eighth World Cup appearance, sit just one point ahead of both Cape Verde and Libya in Group D. Libya recently appointed Aliou Cissé as head coach in a strategic bid to turn their fortunes around.

The Most Competitive Group: Group G

Group G is emerging as one of the most unpredictable, with the top five teams separated by just three points. Algeria, led by Vladimir Petkovic, will face Mozambique and Botswana, aiming to capitalize on their strong AFCON 2025 qualification campaign.

Co-hosts of AFCON 2027, Uganda, along with Guinea, are closely watching for opportunities to move up should any of the frontrunners falter.

Morocco: Top Ranked but Facing Scheduling Challenges

FIFA’s top-ranked African side, Morocco, finds itself in a disrupted Group E. Eritrea withdrew before the qualifiers began, while Congo-Brazzaville was suspended by FIFA last month from all football activities.

As a result, Congo-Brazzaville’s March fixtures against Tanzania and Zambia have been canceled. The likelihood of rescheduling those matches is slim, even if the suspension is eventually lifted.

All eyes now turn to FIFA and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) for guidance on how second-place teams in the affected group will be evaluated in the final standings.