CAF Executive Committee approves new format for 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers (see format)

Nkwain Desmond May 19th, 2023, 2:42 pm

The Executive Committee of CAF has approved a new format for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The tournament will be hosted by USA, MEXICO and CANADA.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will consist of 48 teams instead of the regular 32 teams. Nine and a half spots have been allocated to Africa which is a four and a half increase from their previous four.

The CAF EXCO Friday May 19th adopted a new format for the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers.

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.

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.

Read Also

FIFA has approved a new 2026 FIFA World Cup format that might benefit Cameroon if they qualify for the tournament

Wednesday 12 July 2023 was announced as the draw date for the Qualifiers and will take place in Cotonou, Benin.

The EXCO also announced that the Official Draw of the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations Côte d’Ivoire 2023 will be conducted on Thursday, 12 October 2023.