2026 World Cup Playoffs: CAF Confirms Morocco As Host, Announces Dates And Format

2026 World Cup Playoffs: CAF Confirms Morocco As Host, Announces Dates And Format

Sampson Adedeji

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially confirmed Morocco as the host nation for the 2026 FIFA World Cup playoffs, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

In a circular signed by Samson Adamu, CAF’s Director of Competitions and Events, all member associations were informed of the dates, venue, and structure of the mini-tournament, which will determine Africa’s representative in the intercontinental play-offs for the 2026 World Cup.

According to the statement, the semi-final matches will be played on November 13, 2025, while the final is scheduled for November 16, 2025 both to be hosted in Morocco.

The competition will feature the four best second-placed teams from the nine CAF qualifying groups after Matchday 10, set for mid-October.

The October 2025 FIFA Rankings, to be released on October 23, will determine the seeding for the draw.

The top-ranked team will face the fourth-best, while the second and third-ranked teams will clash in the other semi-final.

The tournament is expected to be fiercely contested, with nations like Cameroon, DR Congo, Gabon, Burkina Faso, and Madagascar among those still vying for a chance to secure the continent’s final ticket to the 2026 World Cup, which will be hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

The winner of the Moroccan playoffs will advance to the intercontinental play-offs in March 2026, where they will face opponents from Asia, South America, Oceania, or CONCACAF for a spot at the global showpiece.

 It will be the last and most decisive step in Africa’s bid to send a tenth representative to the World Cup.