Pending the qualification playoffs, the FIFA World Cup qualifying tournament is over for African nations with nine already securing their place in the global showpiece next year, while four others head into playoffs.

With the fate of many already decided while that of a few hangs in the balance, we take a look at the long journey, and how each country with a World Cup ticket went about business.

How CAF teams book their place in 2026 FIFA World Cup

Nine African nations have sealed their place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America. From Tunisia, who became the first to do so on the continent, and the history makers Morocco, here is how they got there.

Group A - The Pharaohs of Egypt

Egypt will be making their fourth tournament appearance at the World Cup in 2026 after a scintillating qualifying campaign, which they concluded with an unbeaten record, winning eight of 10 games.

The record African champions won each of their opening three games to establish an early advantage. After their winning run was halted in a draw with Guinea-Bissau, they went to win their next three games and secured qualification with one game to go.

They ultimately drew their final game against Burkina Faso, and finished five points ahead of their opponent to win the group. Unfortunately, Burkina Faso couldn't earn a spot among the four second best placed teams.

They are joined by Sierra Leone, Guinea-Bissau, Ethiopia and Djibouti as the losers in the group.

Group B - Teranga Lions of Senegal

It was a close battle between the 2023 African champions and DR Congo, one that was only settled after the final whistles went off in their respective final group matches.

DR Congo took pole position in the group after Senegal's round five draw in Sudan back in March, but under Pape Thiaw, they reclaimed the summit in sensational fashion, after coming from a 2-0 down to beat their main rival away from home in round eight.

Senegal held on to their top spot after beating Maritania in the final group game, taking them to 24 points, two ahead of DR Congo, who head into the qualification playoffs, where they face Cameroon.

Group C - Bafana Bafana of South Africa

The most chaotic group of the qualifiers. Heading into the final games of the qualifiers, anyone of South Africa, Benin and Nigeria had the chance to finish as group winners, but it is Benin, who topled the standings earlier in the day that completely missed out.

South Africa played their game well and had an outstanding outing. Unfortunately, a technical error of playing suspended Teboho Mokoena put their qualification in jeopardy, but thankfully, they were able to recover and seal their progress.

Bafana Bafana were docked three points and three goals, but they benefitted from a terrible outing for Nigeria, who had no win in their first four games of the qualifiers, and left in no man's land in the closing stages.

A 3-0 victory over Rwanda ensured that they reached 18 points, and finish ahead of Nigeria, who helped beat Benin 4-0, earning themselves a place in the qualification playoffs, and helping South Africa finish top of the group.

Group D - The Blue Sharks of Cape Verde

Cape Verde became the second smallest country to qualify for the FIFA World Cup, and will make their appearance next summer, as the 14th different African nation to take part in the global showpiece.

Placed in a group where they are the second best ranked team, the signs were good, but it got even better along the way, especially after an uncharacteristic start to the qualifying campaign by group favourite, Cameroon.

Although they were blown away in their first meeting with the Indomitable Lions, Cape Verde ensured they dominated against the minors, and a run of five consecutive wins, which included a victory over Cameroon saw them took pole position.

They secured their first-ever FIFA World Cup ticket after a 3-0 victory over Eswatini in their final group game, which takes them to 23 points, beyond the reach of Cameroon, who came second and secured a place in the qualification playoffs.

Group E - Atlas Lions of Morocco

Never in doubt. Morocco, despite their poor outing in the African Cup of Nations in early 2024 never looked vulnerable during the course of the World Cup qualifiers, and in their form, the continent has a team that could achieve the impossible, just like they did three years ago in Qatar.

In the company of Nigeria, Tanzania, Zambia and Congo, Walid Regragui's charge were perfect. Winning all of their eight games, excluding their canceled fixtures against Eritrea, who withdrew just before the start of the qualifiers.

They beat everyone in their path, twice. Scored 22 goals and conceded just two. Their domineering effect leaves no chance for second place Niger to secure a second-best place slot.

Group F - The Elephants of Ivory Coast

Another battle that went down the wire, and kudos to the Elephants of Ivory Coast, they recognized where the battle can be won and they delivered the result.

They finished the qualifying campaign with 26 points, just one point ahead of Gabon, who won all their other games except their two meetings with the group winners — one defeat and one draw.

The four points Ivory Coast won against Gabon made the difference in the end, but The Panthers gets the consolation of a place among the four best second placed teams, and will battle Nigeria when the mini tournament kicks off.

Group G - Desert Warriors of Algeria

Algeria kicked off their qualifying campaign with back-to-back wins, but suffered a home loss to Guinea, who was another top contender in the group, in their third game, leaving the group open for any winner to emerge.

But Algeria went on to win six and draw one of their remaining seven games, and became the third team to seal progress to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, after Tunisia and Morocco.

The Desert Warriors finished the campaign with 25 points, seven more than second place Uganda, who fell short on a best second placed team achievement, after losing their final game against Algeria, where they led for majority of the game.

Group H - Eagles of Carthage of Tunisia

Tunisia became the first African nation to book their ticket to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, following their 1-0 win away at Equatorial Guinea in September, despite having two more games to go.

They went on to win the two games, totaling 28 points from 10 games, winning nine and drawing one, conceded no goal and scored 22 times. It was no contest, for the North Africans, it is a complete walkover.

Liberia, Equatorial Guinea, Malawi, and Sao Tome and Principe, all lost twice against Tunisia, with only Namibia losing once and drawing one.

Tunisia's 28 points is a new record in the history of CAF FIFA World Cup qualifiers, and a nation set for their seventh tournament appearance, they couldn't be more delighted about how they handled the qualifiers.

Group I - Black Stars of Ghana

Since their first-ever qualification in 2006, no African team has appeared in more FIFA World Cup finals than the Black Stars, who will again bear the flag of Ghana when the tournament kicks off next summer.

A qualifying campaign that'll be famously remembered for the brilliance of captain Jordan Ayew, who played a direct involvement in 61 percent of their 23 goals, with seven goals and as many assists in ten games.

The four-time African champions needed a 90+6th minute goal from Inaki Williams to beat Madagascar in their first game, and fell to Comoros a few days later, casting further doubts on the ability of a weakened team to dominate the group.

They however responded well, winning their next four games of the World Cup qualifiers, drew one and win the remainder, totalling eight wins, and one draw out of 10.

They secured their World Cup ticket after a beating Comoros 3-0 in their final game, as Madagascar pushed them all the way, even though they finished six points ahead, in the end.

Best Second Placed Teams and Qualification Playoffs 

Nigeria, the biggest winner of the qualifiers even though they are heading into the playoffs. First, they had their dented hopes back after South Africa was docked points, and as that didn't help, Eritrea's withdrawal did.

With Zimbabwe finishing bottom of Group C, they were only docked two points, which moved them ahead of other best second placed teams, some of who lost up to six points.

The Super Eagles, alongside Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, and Gabon will play in the qualification playoffs, a mini tournament, featuring two semi-finals and one final, and the winner going on to represent Africa in the continental playoff.

CAF World Cup Qualification Playoffs Fixtures

Nigeria will face Gabon in one of the semi-finals while Cameroon will lock horns with DR Congo in the other, on dates still to be announced.