World Cup
Great expectations this week as Africa’s World Cup 2026 Qualifiers enter Match Day 6
Following the successful conclusion of Match Day 5 of the qualifiers, CAFOnline takes a look at some exciting fixtures lined up for Match Day 6 of the qualifiers set to take place between 23 – 26 March 2025.
Group A
● Egypt – Sierra Leone: Egypt, the leader of the group with 13 points, recently secured a 2-0 victory against Ethiopia, strengthening their position at the top. Sierra Leone, on the other hand, is looking to improve its standing.
● Guinea-Bissau – Burkina Faso: Burkina Faso, second with 8 points, must win to stay in the race for direct qualification. Guinea-Bissau, although ranked lower, could play the role of a spoiler. Past encounters show a slight advantage for Burkina Faso, but every match remains open.
● Ethiopia – Djibouti: Both teams, at the bottom of the standings, are not going down without a fight. Ethiopia, despite its recent loss to Egypt, is the favourite against Djibouti, which has often struggled in these qualifiers.
Group B
● Sudan vs. South Sudan: After holding Senegal to a 0-0 draw, Sudan remains at the top of Group B with 11 points. The Nile Crocodiles approach their next match against their neighbours with the ambition to assert their superiority and move closer to a historic World Cup qualification. Buoyed by positive momentum, Sudan faces a South Sudanese team still searching for its first win in these qualifiers.
● Senegal vs. Togo: As the runner-up behind Sudan, Senegal must win to secure its position. Historically, Senegal has often dominated Togo, which could influence the morale of both teams.
● Mauritania vs. DR Congo: A crucial match for both teams aiming to move up the table. DR Congo has recently shown strong performances, but Mauritania, playing at home, could surprise.
Group C
● Nigeria vs. Zimbabwe: The Super Eagles begin their comeback operation. With only 6 points, Nigeria lags in the qualification race, but their first win against Rwanda has revived confidence in the former African champions, led by Eric Chelle. Zimbabwe hopes to secure its first win in these qualifiers.
● Benin vs. South Africa: South Africa, the group leader with 10 points, aims to maintain its lead over its closest rival, Benin, with 8 points. The Cheetahs will play at home, looking to take advantage of this.
● Rwanda vs. Lesotho: Both teams, in search of points, often play close matches. Rwanda recently suffered a 2-0 loss at home to Nigeria, while Lesotho aims to capitalize on this opportunity.
Group D
● Eswatini vs. Mauritius: A match between two teams at the bottom of the standings. Eswatini has a slight advantage over Mauritius, but both will seek victory for pride.
● Angola vs. Cape Verde: Cape Verde, leading the group with 10 points, looks to consolidate its position. Angola, with the home advantage, could cause problems.
● Cameroon vs. Libya: After being held to a 0-0 draw by Eswatini, Cameroon must win to reassure itself. But Libya who are under Aliou Cissé cannot be ruled out just yet.
Group E
● Burundi vs. Seychelles: Burundi aims to capitalize on this match to improve its position. Seychelles, often struggling, will attempt to cause an upset.
● Morocco vs. Tanzania: Morocco, the group leader with an almost perfect record, aims to continue its momentum. Tanzania, although competitive, will need to outperform past performances to challenge the Atlas Lions.
Group F
● Kenya vs. Gabon: A crucial match for both teams aiming to move up the table. Gabon, one point behind leaders Côte d’Ivoire, has shown strong recent performances, but Kenya, playing at home, could benefit from the support of its fans.
● Côte d’Ivoire vs. Gambia: Côte d’Ivoire, leading with a perfect record, seeks to continue its streak. Gambia, though competitive, will need a great performance to destabilize the African champions.
Group G
● Botswana vs. Somalia: After losing 3-1 to Algeria, Botswana will look to bounce back. Somalia, on the other hand, held Guinea to a 0-0 draw, demonstrating its defensive solidity and potential to surprise in this qualification campaign.
● Algeria vs. Mozambique: Algeria, the group leader, demonstrated its superiority with a convincing 3-1 victory over Somalia in the first match day of the qualifiers. Mozambique, despite a loss to Algeria in the second matchday, will attempt to cause an upset.
● Uganda vs. Guinea: Uganda recently suffered a 3-1 defeat to Mozambique, while Guinea disappointed with a 0-0 draw against Somalia. Past encounters between these two teams have often been balanced, suggesting an intense match ahead.
Group H
● Liberia vs. São Tomé and Príncipe: After strong resistance against Tunisia, Liberia eventually lost 1-0. This leaves them in a delicate position ahead of their match against São Tomé and Príncipe, who are still seeking their first points in these qualifiers.
● Tunisia vs. Malawi: Tunisia started the qualifiers strongly with a 1-0 win over São Tomé and Príncipe. Malawi, after a 1-0 victory over Liberia, will look to continue from the confidence boosting result.
● Namibia vs. Equatorial Guinea: Namibia lost 1-0 to Equatorial Guinea on the first match day. This return match offers Namibia a chance for revenge, but Equatorial Guinea will look to repeat its victorious performance.
Group I
● Central African Republic vs. Mali: Mali began the qualifiers with a 3-1 victory over Chad, while the Central African Republic suffered a 4-2 loss to Comoros. Past encounters between these two teams are rare, making the outcome of this match hard to predict.
● Madagascar vs. Ghana: Ghana won 1-0 against Madagascar on the first match day. Madagascar will look to reverse the trend in this return match, but Ghana, with its positive historical record, is the favourite.
● Comoros vs. Chad: Comoros started the qualifiers with a 4-2 victory over the Central African Republic, while Chad lost 3-1 to Mali. Comoros, on the rise in recent years, could capitalize on its momentum to claim the win.
-CAF
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World Cup
As major global sporting events beckon, Morocco’s monarch launches the Kenitra-Marrakech High-Speed rail project
As Morocco continues to attract global visitors, especially in the sporting segments, infrastructural development is ongoing.
The latest is the Kenitra-Marrakech High-Speed Rail Line (LGV) at Rabat-Agdal train station, paving the way for a new era of ultra-modern rail infrastructure across the country.
The project was launched on Thursday by the monarch, King Mohammed VI. Apart from being a centre of major sporting events, Morocco recently launched a tourism initiative that will make the kingdom the ultimate destination.
The internal transport system is being overhauled. The 430-kilometre project forms part of a $9.6 billion railway development program that will transform the country’s transportation network.
It will be recalled that the 2030 FIFA World Cup is being co-hosted by Morocco along with Spain and Portugal.
It is the first ever transcontinental edition of the World Cup, which also marks the 100th anniversary of the global championship.
According to information from the Moroccan News Agency (MAP), the Kenitra-Marrakech LGV reflects Morocco’s strategic vision for sustainable development, particularly the promotion of low-carbon collective mobility solutions.
“This project demonstrates Morocco’s firm determination to continue developing the national rail network,” said an official statement during the ceremony, noting the railway’s role as “the backbone of a sustainable and inclusive transport system.”
The high-speed line will connect Rabat, Casablanca, and Marrakech while serving Rabat and Casablanca airports.
It will drastically reduce travel times, with journeys between Tangier and Rabat taking just one hour, Tangier to Casablanca 1 hour 40 minutes, and Tangier to Marrakech 2 hours 40 minutes — saving over two hours compared to current durations.
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Saudi Arabia would be ready and willing to host a 64-team World Cup in 2034 if FIFA accepts a controversial proposal to expand the tournament from 48, according to the kingdom’s sports minister.
South America’s CONMEBOL has officially suggested staging the centenary 2030 World Cup in Spain, Portugal and Morocco with 64 teams, but the idea has been opposed by some other continental confederations.
Next year’s tournament, hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, will have 48 countries participating, up from 32 in 2022.
Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal told a select group of reporters at the Saudi Arabian Formula One Grand Prix in Jeddah that his country would have no objection to an increase in the numbers for 2034.
“We’re ready, or we will be ready, inshallah (God willing). If that’s a decision that FIFA takes and thinks that that’s a good decision for everyone, then we’re more than happy to deliver on it,” he said.
He pointed to the infrastructure already in place for Islamic pilgrims, with four million people attending Mecca for Umrah during Ramadan this year and five million expected for the Hajj.
FIFA expected to confirm Saudi Arabia as 2034 World Cup hosts – Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – December 11, 2024 A model of the proposed Roshn Stadium is seen inside the Saudi Arabia World Cup bid exhibition REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed/File Photo
The global soccer governing body officially announced Saudi Arabia as hosts of the 2034 men’s World Cup in December, a bid that was uncontested but strongly criticised by rights organisations.
The Kingdom has invested heavily in sport over the last few years, but critics accuse it of ‘sportswashing’ its human rights record. The country denies accusations of human rights abuses and says it protects its national security through its laws.
The bid book pledged 15 stadiums, new or refurbished, by 2032 and which are expected to be completed with the help of migrant labour.
Al-Faisal said worker safety was of the highest priority and Saudi organisers were talking regularly with FIFA and 2022 hosts and neighbours Qatar, the first World Cup in the region, to learn from their experience.
He said the death, reported last month, of a worker at the Aramco Stadium construction site in Al Khobar had come after millions of hours without issue.
“Every incident we take seriously, we file an investigation, we look what went wrong,” said the minister. “Unfortunately, in construction, these things happen.”
He said Saudi Arabia was part of the International Labour Organisation and a 2021 Labour Reform Act had abolished the kafala system that binds migrant workers to one employer and prevents them from leaving without the employer’s approval.
Alcohol, prohibited for observant Muslims, is banned in Saudi Arabia and Al-Faisal confirmed the World Cup would be dry.
“The law now here in Saudi is that there’s no alcohol. Will that change in the future? We don’t know. But I don’t see it really affecting our sporting events at all,” he said.
“We’ve had more than 100 international events so far. We’ve had people come from all over the world to attend these sporting events. And everyone’s happy with the hospitality, the setup, the experience that they get.
“I don’t see it as an issue, to be honest. So I hope it’s not going to be an issue”.
Alcohol was not sold at stadiums in Qatar, where drinking in public is illegal, in 2022 but beer was available at designated fan zones and in some hotels.
-Reuters
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A 64-team World Cup in 2030 should not be considered, CONCACAF President Victor Montagliani has said, joining some other confederations in opposing a plan presented by CONMEBOL.
CONMEBOL President Alejandro Dominguez last week officially proposed staging the 2030 World Cup with 64 teams, up from the 48 set to take part in next year’s edition, with the tournament to be hosted largely by Spain, Portugal, and Morocco.
The opening matches will take place in Uruguay, where the first World Cup was hosted in 1930, along with Argentina and Paraguay.
“I don’t believe expanding the men’s World Cup to 64 teams is the right move for the tournament itself and the broader football ecosystem, from national teams to club competitions, leagues, and players,” Montagliani told ESPN, opens new tab.
CONCACAF did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The CONMEBOL plan would have a long way to go for approval, with the 48-team 2026 edition already expanded from the 2022 tournament, when 32 countries took part.
The 2026 tournament is set to be co-hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States.
“We haven’t even kicked off the new 48-team World Cup yet, so personally, I don’t think that expanding to 64 teams should even be on the table,” said Montagliani.
His comments echoed complaints by UEFA boss Aleksander Ceferin, who this month voiced opposition to the idea, and Asian Football Confederation President Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa, who told AFP, opens new tab he fears expansion would lead to chaos.
-Reuters
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As major global sporting events beckon, Morocco’s monarch launches the Kenitra-Marrakech High-Speed rail project
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