FULL FIXTURES: S’Eagles Draw Gabon In Crucial World Cup Play-Off Semi-Final

FULL FIXTURES: S’Eagles Draw Gabon In Crucial World Cup Play-Off Semi-Final

According to report gathered, Nigeria will face Gabon in the semi-finals of the African zone play-offs for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, following the conclusion of the qualifying group stage on Tuesday.

The Super Eagles advanced after thrashing Benin 4–0 earlier in the day, while Gabon sealed second place in Group F with a 2–0 victory over Burundi, aided by Ivory Coast’s dominant win over Kenya to top the group.

Elsewhere, DR Congo booked their place with a narrow 1–0 win against Sudan to finish runners-up in Group B behind Senegal, while Cameroon also progressed after coming second in Group D behind Cape Verde.

The play-offs, featuring the four best runners-up from the nine African qualifying groups, will take place in Morocco between November 13 and 16.

Nigeria, expected to retain the highest FIFA ranking among the quartet when the updated list is released on October 23, will take on the lowest-ranked side, Gabon while Cameroon and DR Congo battle in the other semi-final.

Both semi-final matches are set for November 13, with the winners clashing three days later in a single-leg final.

The eventual winner will advance to the inter-confederation play-offs in March 2026 for a shot at qualifying for the World Cup in Canada, Mexico, and the United States.

All matches will be single-leg knockouts, with extra time and penalties to decide the winner if necessary.

Morocco will host the mini-tournament, offering Africa a final chance to secure an additional slot at the expanded 48-team World Cup.

All nine African group winners have already qualified automatically, while the play-offs will determine whether the continent can gain one more representative through the inter-continental route.