Set to run from 13 to 16 November 2025 in Rabat, the high-stakes mini-tournament will bring together four of Africa’s football heavyweights — Nigeria, Gabon, Cameroon, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) — in what promises to be a thrilling final showdown for a place at the global finals.
According to CAF, the semi-final matches will be played on Thursday, 13 November 2025, at two venues: El Barid Stadium and the Prince Moulay El Hassan Sports Complex. The official draw, scheduled for 30 October 2025, will determine the final allocation of fixtures to each stadium.
The opening semi-final will pit Nigeria’s Super Eagles against Gabon at 17:00 local time (16:00 GMT), while the second semi-final, featuring Cameroon and DR Congo, will kick off at 20:00 local time (19:00 GMT).
The winners of both encounters will advance to the final, which is slated for Sunday, 16 November 2025, at the Prince Héritier Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat. Kick-off for the decisive match is set for 20:00 local time (19:00 GMT).
Confirmed Fixtures: CAF 2026 Playoff Tournament
- Match 1: Nigeria vs Gabon — 17:00
- Match 2: Cameroon vs DR Congo — 20:00
The overall winner will progress to the FIFA Inter-Continental Play-off in March 2026, where they will compete for Africa’s 10th and final World Cup slot. The inter-continental playoff will determine the last teams to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
This tournament marks the final qualifying hurdle for the participating nations, each aiming to secure their spot alongside Africa’s already-qualified teams on football’s grandest stage.