South Africa, Ivory Coast, and Senegal Seal 2026 World Cup Qualification

Africa’s 2026 World Cup representatives were finalised on Tuesday as South Africa, Ivory Coast, and Senegal all recorded convincing victories, claiming the last three automatic spots on the continent.

Final African Qualifiers

These three join Algeria, Cape Verde, Egypt, Morocco, Senegal and Tunisia at next year’s World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, and Nigeria remain in contention for additional African spots. These four runners-up will face off in single-match semi-finals and a final in Morocco during November. The winners will advance to inter-continental play-offs in March 2026, with two World Cup places at stake.

Senegal’s Teranga Lions were the most impressive, hammering Mauritania 4-0.

• Sadio Mane scored just before and after half-time.
• Iliman Ndiaye and Habib Diallo added the other goals.
• Senegal finished top of Group B with 24 points, two ahead of DR Congo, who defeated Sudan 1-0 in Kinshasa through Theo Bongonda.

Ivory Coast defeated Kenya 3-0 in Abidjan, with goals from:

1. Franck Kessie – 7th minute
2. Yan Diomande – soon after half-time
3. Amad Diallo – final goal

The Elephants topped Group F with 26 points, one more than Gabon. Gambia finished third after a 7-0 win over Seychelles.

South Africa also won 3-0 against Rwanda in Mbombela, with goals from:

• Thalente Mbatha (first half)
• Oswin Appollis (first half)
• Evidence Makgopa (second half, 72’)

South Africa finished Group C with 18 points, narrowly ahead of Nigeria, who beat Benin 4-0 in Uyo. Victor Osimhen scored a hat-trick, with Frank Onyeka adding a fifth.

This marks South Africa’s fourth World Cup appearance, having participated in 1998, 2002, and as hosts in 2010.

Belgium-born South Africa coach Hugo Broos, who played for his country at the 1986 World Cup, expressed his joy:

“We all knew that we could do it, we believed in ourselves. We are going to the World Cup and it is fantastic. In the last three years we changed players and every time it was the right choice. What happened tonight is the work of three years and the future looks very bright for South African football.”

• Oswin Appollis was named player of the match, scoring and assisting in the win.

“What an amazing feeling for the group going to the World Cup. I am so happy for the boys. I knew that we would come here to Mbombela tonight and win,” he said.

South Africa’s qualification was far from smooth:

• They dropped points in home draws against Nigeria and Zimbabwe.
• They forfeited three points for fielding the ineligible Teboho Mokoena in a win over Lesotho.
• Entering the final round, South Africa were two points behind Benin.

The team needed to beat Rwanda and hope Nigeria defeated Benin. Both outcomes occurred:

• Nigeria led within three minutes through Victor Osimhen.
• South Africa’s Mbatha scored after five minutes.
• Appollis added a snap shot midway through the first half.
• Makgopa headed in a corner at 72 minutes to seal victory.
• Osimhen completed his hat-trick six minutes into the second half, and Onyeka added a stoppage-time goal.