The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially announced that Morocco will host the African playoff matches for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will take place in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
The tournament will mark the first time the World Cup features 48 participating nations.
Africa’s qualification structure for the 2026 edition includes 54 national teams divided into nine groups of six. The winners of each group will qualify directly for the World Cup.
The playoff stage will feature the four best runners-up across all groups, who will compete in a mini-tournament consisting of semifinals and a final. The winner of this playoff series will then advance to the intercontinental playoff, where they will battle teams from other confederations for a final spot at the World Cup.
CAF has scheduled the semifinal matches for November 13, 2025, with the final to follow on November 16.
Several teams, including Morocco, Egypt, Tunisia, and Algeria, have already secured their qualification, while the fight for the remaining spots remains intense as the group stage nears completion.
Morocco’s selection as host further cements its reputation as a leading destination for football in Africa. The North African nation is also preparing to host the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and is part of the joint bid to host the 2030 FIFA World Cup.
CAF President Patrice Motsepe lauded Morocco’s continued leadership in African football, stating that the country “has demonstrated exceptional commitment and passion for football development across the continent.”
