South Africa Ivory Coast and Senegal Secure Spots in 2026 World Cup

On Tuesday South Africa Ivory Coast and Senegal secured convincing victories to claim the final three direct qualification spots allocated to African teams for the 2026 World Cup.

Senegal delivered the standout performance with a 4-0 thrashing of Mauritania whereas Ivory Coast triumphed 3-0 against Kenya and South Africa also prevailed 3-0 over Rwanda.

These three nations will now join Algeria Cape Verde Egypt Morocco Senegal and Tunisia at the tournament hosted across the United States Canada and Mexico.

Cameroon the Democratic Republic of Congo Gabon and Nigeria maintained their chances of expanding Africas presence to ten teams by securing the top four positions among the second-placed sides.

These four will compete in two one-off semi-final matches and a final in Morocco in November with the winners progressing to inter-confederation playoffs in March where two additional World Cup berths are available.

Ex-Liverpool forward Sadio Mane netted goals shortly before and after the interval for Senegal who topped Group B with Iliman Ndiaye and Habib Diallo also finding the target for the Teranga Lions.

Senegal ended with 24 points two ahead of DR Congo who narrowly defeated Sudan 1-0 in Kinshasa courtesy of a Theo Bongonda strike.

Manchester Uniteds Amad Diallo rounded off the scores for Ivory Coast who took the lead in the seventh minute during their dominant win against Kenya in Abidjan.

Franck Kessie opened the scoring for the current African champions and Yan Diomande doubled the advantage shortly after the break.

Ivory Coast led Group F with 26 points one clear of Gabon while Gambia surged to third place with a 7-0 demolition of Seychelles.

Thalente Mbatha and Oswin Appollis netted in the first half for South Africa with Evidence Makgopa adding the third midway through the second half in Mbombela.

South Africa finished first in Group C on 18 points one more than Nigeria who crushed Benin 4-0 in Uyo where Victor Osimhen bagged a hat-trick.

This marks South Africas fourth time at the World Cup having appeared in 1998 and 2002 and automatically in 2010 as hosts.

Incredible Sensation

South Africas Belgium-born manager Hugo Broos who played for his nation at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico and aspired to lead a team there before hanging up his boots was elated.

We were confident we could achieve this we trusted in our abilities Broos said of the 73-year-old. Heading to the World Cup is incredible.

Over the past three years we have revamped the squad making smart selections each time. Tonight's success reflects three years of effort and the outlook for South African football is promising.

We face the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco in December followed by the World Cup. Words cannot capture my emotions.

Winger Appollis earned man of the match honours for his goal and assist helping South Africa rediscover their attacking form after a goalless draw with Zimbabwe last Friday.

Its an unbelievable sensation for the squad qualifying for the World Cup he shared with journalists. Im thrilled for the players.

Despite the recent draw I was certain we would triumph here in Mbombela tonight.

Qualification brought massive relief to South Africa whose five-point lead with four games left had flipped to a two-point deficit to Benin before the last round.

South Africa lost ground through home stalemates with Nigeria and Zimbabwe and forfeited three points for using ineligible Teboho Mokoena in a win against Lesotho.

To qualify South Africa required a victory over Rwanda and a Nigeria win against Benin both of which materialised with the hosts striking early.

Nigeria led within three minutes via Osimhen while Mbatha scored for South Africa after just five minutes.

Appolliss quick shot midway through the first half gave South Africa command as Rwanda were largely defensive.

Makgopa who stepped in late for injured Iqraam Rayners headed home from a corner on 72 minutes to wrap up the win.

Osimhen added another before the break and sealed his treble six minutes into the second half with Frank Onyeka scoring late to complete Nigerias drubbing.