Africa’s nine qualified nations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup will discover their group-stage opponents on Friday at 19H00 Central African Time. The draw for the expanded 48-team tournament takes place in Washington DC. The ceremony, hosted at the Kennedy Centre, begins at 7 pm CAT (5 pm GMT) and marks the first major milestone in the final build-up to a World Cup that will span Canada, the United States and Mexico between 11 June and 18 July 2026. For…

It is now public knowledge that Belgian mentor Hugo Broos will be leaving Bafana Bafana to return to his homeland after next year’s FIFA World Cup. Broos, however, would still have South Africa’s interests at heart beyond the global showpiece. He has hinted at a consultancy role, but some recent call-ups would be considered great for the future of South African football. He raised some eyebrows when he called up 20-year-old center-back Tylon Smith and Shandre Campbell, who is also…

World football governing body FIFA has revealed the pots ahead of the group stage draw for the World Cup next year. South Africa’s senior national team, Bafana Bafana, has been placed in Pot 3. On Friday, 5 December, participating teams will find out which pathway they must follow in their quest to lift the trophy when the draw is conducted in Washington DC, United States of America (USA). The Final Draw procedures stipulate that the hosts Canada, Mexico and the…

On paper, the Democratic Republic of Congo’s playoff run next March could be a walk in the park. The FIFA World Cup 2026 Play-Off Tournament draw was conducted on Thursday, and given their better ranking, DR Congo will only play in one of the two finals, which means they are 90 minutes away from qualifying for the global showpiece. DR Congo, who are ranked 56th globally, qualified for the inter-confederation playoffs by beating Nigeria to win Africa’s playoff. Now, standing…

As of 19 November, only six spots are remaining for next year’s FIFA World Cup in North America. The co-hosts are Canada, Mexico and the United States of America (USA), who earned their spots by virtue of being hosts. The tournament will take place from June 11 to July 19, 2026. It is the first to be hosted by three countries. This tournament will also be the first to include 48 teams, expanded from 32. The draw for the World…

Nigeria’s Football Federation (NFF) has wasted no time in acknowledging its shortcomings following the Super Eagles’ failure to qualify for the FIFA 2026 World Cup. The Super Eagles were pipped to first spot in Group C of the qualifiers by South Africa. They had a second chance in the African play-offs and blew it, going down to the Democratic Republic of Congo in the final. “The Nigeria Football Federation wishes to openly and sincerely apologise to His Excellency, President Bola…

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) will represent Africa in the Inter-Confederation Play-Offs in March next year, for a possible 10th spot for the continent in the FIFA 2026 World Cup. DR Congo kept their World Cup dream alive after beating Nigeria 4-3 on penalties in Rabat on Sunday night, following a 1-1 draw after extra time in the African play-off final. Frank Onyeka gave the Super Eagles a third-minute lead, but Meschack Elia levelled on 32 minutes, and, after…

Nigeria and DR Congo will meet in Sunday’s CAF World Cup play-off final in Rabat, with the winner advancing to March’s FIFA Inter-Continental Play-Off and keeping their FIFA World Cup 26 dream alive. Kick-off is 20:00 local time (19:00 GMT) at the Stade Prince Héritier Moulay El Hassan. Eric Sékou Chelle’s Super Eagles arrive with momentum after a dramatic 4–1 extra-time win over Gabon. Nigeria were pegged back late in normal time but finished emphatically, as Chidera Ejuke struck early…

South Africa’s national teams have been handsomely rewarded by the sports ministry for their respective successes in recent times. The senior football team Bafana Bafana will receive R5 million to share amongst the players and technical team. This comes after Hugo Broos’s men qualified for the FIFA 2026 World Cup, ahead of Nigeria and Benin in Group C of the qualifiers. “This investment is a testament to their hard work and the pride they instill in our nation,” said sports…

Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has explained how he managed to put together a group of players that helped South Africa qualify for the FIFA 2026 World Cup. This is the first time South Africa has directly made it to the global showpiece since the 2002 World Cup. The country was part of the 2010 World Cup, but as hosts. “I know you have not always agreed with the choices I made, and I said already that I have a different…