2026 W/ Cup Playoffs: FIFA clarifies how the top four African second-placed teams will be picked

World football governing body, FIFA has modified the qualification format for the African zone of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, following the withdrawal of Eritrea from the competition.

In a letter addressed to the General Secretaries of all 54 African Football Federations, FIFA announced that results against the bottom-placed teams in each group will no longer count when determining the best runners-up across the continent.

The decision comes after concerns were raised about fairness, as one group is now left with fewer teams due to Eritrea’s exit.

The new rule has reshuffled the standings to the delight of Cameroon. The Indomitable Lions, who managed just one win and one draw against the bottom team in their group, now climb into the top four among the second-placed nations.

Although the play-off route to the World Cup remains a tough journey, the adjustment breathes new life into Cameroon’s qualification hopes.

With only a match left in the qualifiers, Coach Marc Brys and his players will look to capitalize on this stroke of fortune and push harder for a place at the 2026 World Cup jointly hosted by the USA, Canada, and Mexico.

CAF Play-Off Format (2026 World Cup)

CAF will use the October FIFA Rankings to determine the seeding for the continental play-off in Morocco.

SEEDING:

Team 1 — Highest ranked nation
Team 2 — Second highest ranked nation
Team 3 — Third highest ranked nation
Team 4 — Lowest ranked nation

Match Rules:

(i)Single-leg knockout format

(ii) Extra time (2×15 mins) if tied after 90 minutes
(iii) Penalties if still level after extra time

(iv) Six substitutions allowed (5 in regular time, 1 in extra time)