ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast – The final phase of African qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup has concluded, with Ivory Coast and Senegal claiming the last two direct berths from the continent on Monday, October 14, 2025.
The Ivorian team sealed their return to the global stage in emphatic fashion, defeating Kenya 3-0 in a home match in Abidjan. The victory was notably highlighted by the performance of Manchester United’s Amad Diallo, who provided an assist and scored a goal directly from a free-kick. This qualification marks a significant comeback for Ivory Coast, who missed the previous two World Cup tournaments.
In a concurrent match held in Johannesburg, Senegal booked their ticket with a solid 2-0 win over the Democratic Republic of Congo. The team’s star forward, Sadio Mané, was the hero of the day, scoring both goals to secure the victory. This achievement is historic for African football, as it makes Senegal the first nation from the continent to qualify for three consecutive World Cups.
With these results, the field of nine African teams that will receive direct qualification to the 2026 World Cup is now complete. The full list of qualifiers is:
· Algeria
· Cape Verde
· Egypt
· Ghana
· Ivory Coast
· Morocco
· Senegal
· South Africa
· Tunisia
One additional spot for a team from the African confederation remains available through the inter-confederation playoffs.
