WORLD CUP 2026 ROAD UNVEILED

The roadmap for the 2026 FIFA World Cup to be hosted by Canada/USA/Mexico has been unveiled by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

“The new format has been adapted in line with FIFA’s expanded FIFA World Cup format and will involve all the 54 Member Associations of CAF who will be divided into nine (9) Groups,” reads part of the communique.

“Winners of each Group will automatically qualify for the FIFA World Cup 2026. The four best runners-up (from the Groups) will play in a CAF Play-Off tournament. The winner (CAF Play-Off tournament) will play in the FIFA Play-off Tournament.”

Match Day One and Two will take place from November 13-21 with Match Day Three and Four set for 3-11 June 2024.

The qualifiers will run until November 2025 with nine countries assured of flying the continental flag at the FIFA World Cup. Draws for the FIFA World Cup will be conducted on July 12.

Zambia is chasing its debut FIFA World Cup appearance in its 58-year history.
On the 2023 AFCON (to be staged in January 2024), CAF announced that draws for the final tournament will be held on October 12, 2023.