World Cup qualifiers race heats up

FIFA World Cup qualifying on the African continent has just passed its halfway stage, and various nations are edging closer to booking their ticket to the global showpiece in the Americas in a year’s time.

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How will African teams fare?

With sides from the Confederation of African Football (CAF) region standing a chance to qualify directly to the competition from their respective qualification groups for the first time ever, many will be looking to cement their name in that first position to avoid a potentially tricky playoff encounter. Soccer Laduma international journalist Kamogelo Motecwane delves deep into which countries are best positioned to book a direct ticket to Mexico, Canada, and the United States of America in 2026.

Group A

With the FIFA World Cup now being expanded to 48 nations, all African teams need to secure qualification for the biggest tournament in football is to finish top of the group. One of the sides that looks primed to be among the first to secure their path to the world’s biggest sporting event is Egypt. The Pharaohs were the first ever African side to compete in the tournament in 1934, and since then, they have participated three more times.

Given their position in Group A, they could make it four as Hossam Hassan’s side has been near flawless thus far in qualification. They have Ballon d’Or chaser Mohamed Salah to thank for that, as his six goals — the most within the CAF region — and three assists have propelled the North Africans giants to the top of their group with 9 points. Behind them is Burkina Faso, with 11 points, but as the Egyptians are yet to lose a game during these qualifiers, they look as though they are favourites to make it to the World Cup.

Group B