The Confederation of African Football (CAF), in partnership with hosts Morocco, has officially unveiled the venues and schedule for the African qualifiers of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Intercontinental Playoff Tournament.
The high-stakes mini-tournament will take place from November 13 to 16, 2025, in Rabat, Morocco, and will feature four of the continent’s football powerhouses — Nigeria, Gabon, Cameroon, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo).
According to CAF, the semi-final matches will be played on Thursday, November 13, at El Barid Stadium and the Prince Moulay El Hassan Sports Complex. A draw scheduled for October 30, 2025, will determine which fixture is assigned to each venue.
The opening semi-final will see Nigeria’s Super Eagles face Gabon at 17:00 local time (16:00 GMT), followed by the clash between Cameroon and DR Congo at 20:00 local time (19:00 GMT).
The final is slated for Sunday, November 16, 2025, at the Prince Héritier Moulay El Hassan Stadium, with kick-off set for 20:00 local time (19:00 GMT).
Confirmed Fixtures — CAF 2026 Playoff:
- Match 1: Nigeria vs Gabon — 17:00
- Match 2: Cameroon vs DR Congo — 20:00
The overall winner of the tournament will advance to the FIFA Intercontinental Playoff in March 2026, where they will compete for Africa’s 10th and final slot at the expanded 2026 FIFA World Cup, to be co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
The tournament serves as the last qualifying hurdle for the participating nations, each aiming to secure their place on football’s biggest stage.