World Cup 2026 qualifiers across Africa are heating up, and it’s not just on the pitch—FIFA rulings, stadium dilemmas, and bold managerial moves are reshaping the race to the biggest stage in football. As tension builds, South Africa’s head coach, Hugo Broos, has fired a warning shot to his squad, reminding players that no position is safe in their quest for qualification. Meanwhile, boardroom battles off the field may shift the power balance in multiple groups, with Equatorial Guinea challenging FIFA’s verdicts and other nations facing unprecedented challenges.
South Africa Coach Sends Message: No One Is Safe
Ahead of a crucial clash against Benin on Tuesday, South Africa’s veteran coach Hugo Broos made it clear—star status doesn’t guarantee a spot in his starting eleven. “We are a family of 23, not 11,” the 72-year-old Belgian stated, signaling that everyone must fight for their place. Broos hinted that youngsters Relebohile Mofokeng and Jayden Adams, who scored in South Africa’s 2-0 victory over Lesotho, might start from the bench despite their recent heroics. “Lesotho were the right opponents for them to start, but maybe not Benin,” Broos said, emphasizing a strategic approach to the top-of-the-table encounter.
Interestingly, Benin will host South Africa in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, due to the lack of a FIFA-approved stadium at home—a factor Broos admitted might give his team a slight edge. However, South Africa’s history of struggling against physically robust sides like Benin remains a concern, especially away from home. With Burnley’s Lyle Foster expected to step up and former Premier League forward Steve Mounié leading Benin’s attack, fans can expect a hard-fought battle.
Equatorial Guinea Battles FIFA Over Nsue Ruling
In a developing saga that could reshape Group H, Equatorial Guinea is fighting back after FIFA’s suspension of their star Emilio Nsue was overturned. Previously, FIFA had ruled Nsue ineligible, citing his Spanish birth, leading to the forfeiture of victories over Namibia and Liberia. Those 1-0 wins were flipped to 3-0 losses, knocking Equatorial Guinea down to fifth place. However, with Nsue’s eligibility reinstated—since anyone with an Equatoguinean parent qualifies for citizenship—the Central African nation is demanding their victories be restored.
Should FIFA approve the appeal, Equatorial Guinea would soar to second in the group, just behind leaders Tunisia, reigniting their World Cup hopes. This decision could not only affect standings but also raise questions about the consistency and fairness of FIFA’s eligibility enforcement.
Group E in Limbo as Congo Faces Suspension
Elsewhere, uncertainty clouds Group E after Eritrea withdrew from the qualifiers and Congo Brazzaville faces suspension over government interference. If Congo is formally ejected, the group—currently led by 2022 World Cup semi-finalists Morocco—will shrink to just four teams. This imbalance could create complications for determining the best-ranked runners-up, with average points per game likely becoming the fallback method, a system used during the COVID-19 era in several leagues, including Major League Soccer.
Five Must-Watch Showdowns This Matchday
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Benin vs South Africa (Group C): With qualification at stake, this clash in Ivory Coast is pivotal. South Africa aim to assert dominance, but Benin’s physicality poses a challenge.
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Egypt vs Sierra Leone (Group A): Sierra Leone’s new coach Mohamed Kallon, a former Inter Milan star, faces his biggest test yet against Egypt and the unstoppable Mohamed Salah, who scored and assisted in their recent 2-0 win over Ethiopia.
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Cameroon vs Libya (Group D): Cameroon’s football chief Samuel Eto’o returns from a FIFA ban just in time for this qualifier. Coach Marc Brys has admitted to “many problems” after a goalless draw with Eswatini.
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Kenya vs Gabon (Group F): Kenya, under new coach Benni McCarthy, need a win to keep slim qualification hopes alive. Currently trailing Ivory Coast and Gabon, their only realistic shot is via the runners-up playoffs.
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Madagascar vs Ghana (Group I): Corentin Martins, Madagascar’s newly appointed coach, dreams of “achieving the unimaginable.” A win over Ghana would push his team to the top of the table. Ghana, however, enter confident after a 5-0 thrashing of Chad, featuring Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo on the scoresheet.
Africa’s Road to the World Cup Intensifies
With only the nine group winners securing automatic qualification and just four runners-up getting a shot at the play-offs, the margin for error is razor-thin. As off-field decisions and on-field battles collide, the road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup is anything but predictable.
Stay tuned to Hobnob News for in-depth updates as the qualification drama continues to unfold across the African continent.
