Full List: 5 African countries on brink of reaching World Cup for first time

By Efosa Taiwo

As the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers participate the decisive stage, respective African countries are dreaming big, with past wrong touching distance.

While giants similar Nigeria, Senegal, and Algeria are battling to unafraid their places, 5 countries are connected the cusp of making it to the tournament for the precise archetypal time—if permutations plaything successful their favor.

Here’s a breakdown of their chances:

Gabon – Group F

Gabon’s hopes are live arsenic they beryllium conscionable 1 constituent down leaders Ivory Coast, who are connected 20 points. Their last 2 matches are against Gambia and Burundi—both winnable fixtures. For Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s side, the equation is simple: triumph some games and commune Ivory Coast gaffe up. Should that happen, Gabon could observe a first-ever World Cup ticket.

Uganda – Group G

Uganda’s roadworthy is trickier, sitting 4 points adrift of Algeria. Their past 2 fixtures spot them play Botswana earlier a monolithic showdown successful Algiers. For the Cranes, the imagination rests connected Somalia causing an upset against Algeria. If Uganda bushed Botswana and past Algeria away, they could propulsion disconnected 1 of the biggest shocks successful African qualifying history.

Cape Verde – Group D

Cape Verde is arguably successful the strongest presumption of each the debut hopefuls. They presently pb Group D with 19 points, needing conscionable 1 much triumph from their last 2 matches—against Libya and Eswatini—to publication their ticket. Victory successful either crippled would unafraid a maiden quality astatine football’s biggest stage, cementing their emergence successful African football.

Madagascar – Group I

The Barea of Madagascar inactive person everything to combat for, sitting 3 points down leaders Ghana. They look Mali and Comoros successful their last matches, portion Ghana plays distant to CAR and astatine location to Comoros. If Ghana falters and Madagascar cod maximum points, the Indian Ocean federation could beryllium dancing into their first-ever World Cup.

Benin Republic – Group C (Outsider’s Chance)

Though not successful the apical five, Benin stay successful the conversation. Sitting 3 points down leaders South Africa, their destiny depends connected Bafana Bafana dropping points successful their last 2 games. To person immoderate chance, Benin indispensable besides bushed Rwanda and Nigeria away—no tiny task, but successful football, thing is possible.

The Bigger Picture

The 2026 World Cup, expanded to 48 teams, has opened the doorway for much African representation—bringing caller anticipation to countries yet to sensation the planetary spectacle.

While accepted heavyweights stay favorites, the anticipation of debutants similar Cape Verde, Gabon, and Madagascar lighting up the tourney makes these last qualifiers unmissable.

Vanguard News

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