Africa will employ a single stage of World Cup qualification for the next finals in 2026, doing away with three rounds previously for a format that will take almost two years to complete. The four best runners-up from the groups will play in a CAF playoff tournament in November 2025 and the winners of that will compete in the FIFA playoff tournament in March 2026 for a possible 10th African slot. This playoff tournament will involve six teams to decide the final two World Cup berths. The World Cup finals in Canada, Mexico and the U.S are being played in mid-2026. World football’s governing body FIFA has already announced that the final will be played on July 19.

Source: The North Africa Journal May 19, 2023 11:06 UTC