CAF Confirms Nigeria vs. Gabon Clash in 2026 World Cup Playoff Tournament

 

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially announced the schedule and venue for the African Qualifiers of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Inter-Continental Playoff Tournament.

The high-stakes mini-tournament will determine which African nation secures the continent’s final slot at the expanded 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Set to take place in Rabat, Morocco, from November 13 to 16, 2025, the competition will feature four major contenders: Nigeria, Gabon, Cameroon, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo).

The semi-final fixtures are scheduled for Thursday, November 13, at two venues — El Barid Stadium and the Prince Moulay El Hassan Sports Complex. A draw on October 30, 2025, will decide which venue hosts each game.

CAF confirmed the semi-final pairings as follows:

• Nigeria (Super Eagles) vs. Gabon – Kick-off at 17:00 local time (16:00 GMT)

• Cameroon vs. DR Congo – Kick-off at 20:00 local time (19:00 GMT)

The winner of the playoff tournament will advance to the FIFA Inter-Continental Playoff in March 2026, where they will battle for Africa’s 10th and final ticket to the World Cup, to be co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

The grand final of the African playoff tournament is set for Sunday, November 16, 2025, at the Prince Héritier Moulay El Hassan Stadium, with kick-off scheduled for 20:00 local time (19:00 GMT).

This competition marks the last opportunity for one of the four nations to join Africa’s qualified teams on the world’s biggest football stage.