CAF Releases 2026 World Cup Play-Off Fixtures: Nigeria Draws Gabon As Cameroon Clash With DRC In Morocco Thriller

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has unveiled the much-anticipated fixtures for the 2026 FIFA World Cup African play-offs, setting the stage for an intense football spectacle that will determine the continent’s final representative at next year’s global tournament.

In a line-up brimming with excitement and continental pride, Nigeria, Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and Gabon will slug it out in Morocco for Africa’s last remaining ticket to the World Cup slated for the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

According to CAF’s schedule, the semi-final encounters are fixed for November 13, 2025, and they promise to deliver pure football fireworks. Cameroon will face off against the DRC in what is already being tagged a Central African derby of pride and power, while Nigeria’s Super Eagles will lock horns with Gabon’s Panthers in a tension-soaked duel that could redefine the continent’s football hierarchy.

The winners of both clashes will meet in the grand finale on November 16, 2025, where a single victory will secure a ticket to the intercontinental play-off — the decisive final hurdle on the road to the 2026 World Cup.

Football analysts have described the fixtures as “mouth-watering,” noting that the blend of history, rivalry, and stakes involved makes this edition one of the most competitive in recent years.

Speaking shortly after the announcement, a CAF official said the play-offs “represent the peak of African footballing spirit — determination, resilience, and hope.”

For Nigeria, the showdown with Gabon offers a chance to reaffirm their continental dominance after a turbulent qualifying campaign. Cameroon, meanwhile, will look to rely on their trademark grit and experience to overcome a rejuvenated DRC side.

As the countdown begins, all eyes now turn to Morocco, where the continent’s giants will collide in a battle not just for qualification — but for glory, history, and the pride of Africa.