2026 W’Cup: Nigeria set for tough playoff battle as CAF reveals venue, format

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially announced the venues, dates, and format for the 2026 FIFA World Cup African playoffs, setting the stage for an intense final battle among four nations including Nigeria vying for the continent’s last ticket to the global showpiece.

According to a circular sent to all member associations, CAF confirmed that Morocco, which is also set to host the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, will stage the playoffs for the World Cup qualifiers.

The mini-tournament will feature the four best runners-up from the nine qualification groups after Matchday 10, with the overall winner securing Africa’s final qualifying slot for the 2026 World Cup.

According to the schedule, the semi-final matches will be played on November 13, 2025, with the final taking place three days later on November 16, 2025.

CAF disclosed that the October 2025 FIFA World Rankings, to be released on October 23, will determine the seeding for the draw.

The top-ranked team among the four runners-up will face the fourth-ranked side, while the second and third-ranked nations will meet in the other semi-final.

As it stands, Gabon, Cameroon, Nigeria, Burkina Faso or DR Congo will make up the four runners-up set to battle for a place in the intercontinental playoff.

Should any match end in a draw, extra time and, if needed, a penalty shootout will decide the winner. Each team will be permitted five substitutions, with a sixth allowed during extra time.

The winner of the Moroccan playoff tournament will advance to the intercontinental play-off in March 2026, where they will face opposition from Asia, South America, Oceania, and Concacaf to contest for Africa’s 10th and final ticket to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Nigeria, who sealed their playoff spot with a commanding 4–0 victory over Benin on the final day of the qualifiers, will now await the October rankings and the playoff draw to know their path — and potential opponents — in the decisive race to the World Cup.