Broos’ Warning to South Africa
“No one is guaranteed a regular starting place. We are a family of 23, not 11,” said the 72-year-old Belgian before Group C leaders South Africa face second-placed Benin in Abidjan.
Broos hinted that youngsters Relebohile Mofokeng and Jayden Adams, who scored in South Africa’s 2-0 win over Lesotho on Friday, may not start against Benin. “Lesotho were the right opponents for them to start, but maybe not Benin,” he added.
Boardroom Battles in Groups H and E
Meanwhile, FIFA’s decision to overturn a ban on Equatorial Guinea star Emilio Nsue has sparked controversy. The central Africans are demanding that their forfeited victories over Namibia and Liberia be reinstated. If successful, Equatorial Guinea would rise from fifth to second in Group H, currently led by Tunisia.
FIFA had initially ruled Nsue ineligible due to his Spanish birth, but Equatorial Guinea argues that anyone born to an Equatoguinean parent automatically qualifies for citizenship.
In Group E, uncertainty looms following the unexplained withdrawal of Eritrea and the suspension of Congo Brazzaville over government interference. If Congo drop out, the group, led by 2022 World Cup semi-finalists Morocco, would be reduced to four teams, creating an uneven playing field for rivals vying for runner-up spots.
Qualification Dynamics
The nine group winners will automatically qualify for the 2026 World Cup, while the four best-ranked runners-up will enter play-offs, potentially securing an additional spot for Africa. To address potential disparities, FIFA may use average points per game, a system employed during the Covid-19 pandemic by leagues like Major League Soccer.
Key Matchday Six Fixtures
AFP Sport highlights five of the 25 matchday six qualifiers as the race for World Cup spots intensifies:
1. Benin vs South Africa
Broos believes Benin’s decision to host the match in Ivory Coast due to a lack of a FIFA-approved stadium could “help a little.” However, South Africa, known for struggling against physically powerful opponents like Benin, will rely on Burnley forward Lyle Foster and face Benin’s Steve Mounie, a former Premier League striker.
2. Egypt vs Sierra Leone
This Group A clash between leaders Egypt and third-placed Sierra Leone will test new Leone Stars coach Mohamed Kallon. After a dream debut with a 3-1 win over Guinea-Bissau, Kallon faces a tougher challenge against Egypt in Cairo, where Mohamed Salah will be the key threat.
3. Cameroon vs Libya
Cameroon football federation head Samuel Eto’o, recently elected to the CAF executive committee, will watch this Group D qualifier after a six-month FIFA ban expired. Coach Marc Brys admitted Cameroon has “many problems” following a disappointing 0-0 draw with Eswatini.
4. Kenya vs Gabon
Kenya’s new coach Benni McCarthy aims to “surprise a lot of people” by qualifying for the World Cup. Trailing Group F leaders Ivory Coast by seven points, Kenya must beat Gabon to keep their slim hopes alive for a runner-up spot and potential play-offs.
5. Madagascar vs Ghana
Madagascar, under new coach Corentin Martins, stunned the Central African Republic 4-1 in his debut. A win over Group I leaders Ghana could see them top the table. Ghana, meanwhile, trounced Chad 5-0, with Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo among the scorers.
As the 2026 World Cup qualifiers heat up, teams are battling not only on the pitch but also in boardrooms, with controversies and strategic decisions shaping the path to the tournament.