The 2026 World Cup qualifiers resume this week for the Africa zone, featuring notably the 7th and 8th matchdays of the nine competing groups. Group D is attracting particular attention with a tight contest among six nations: Cameroon, Cape Verde, Angola, Libya, Eswatini, and Mauritius. After seven matches played, Cape Verde leads the standings with 16 points, closely followed by Cameroon with 15 points. Direct qualification for the World Cup will be awarded to the group leader, while the four best runners-up will advance to the continental playoffs.
The schedule remains packed for these teams, with key upcoming matches that could reshuffle the rankings. Cameroon, strong offensively with 15 goals scored and a solid defense, remains a serious contender for first place despite having played one more game than Cape Verde. Libya, third with 11 points, is trying to keep hope alive for the playoffs, while Angola, Eswatini, and Mauritius continue their hunt for decisive points.
This qualification phase extends until November 2025, with each match potentially decisive. The context is all the more unprecedented as the 2026 World Cup will take place across three North American countries: the United States, Canada, and Mexico. African teams are therefore eager to secure their ticket to this exceptional event, especially since the CAF is offering more qualifying spots than ever before with the expanded World Cup.
The upcoming fixtures will be crucial, notably the matches scheduled for September and October 2025, where each point could make the difference between direct qualification, playoffs, or elimination. The battle promises to be intense in this very balanced Group D, offering an exciting spectacle for African football enthusiasts and a gripping race to the 2026 World Cup.