Cameroon, Nigeria, DR Congo and Gabon clash for World Cup play-off place

Four African nations – Cameroon, Nigeria, DR Congo, and Gabon – will battle for a single place in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Play-Off Tournament this week in Morocco.Between them, they share 15 previous appearances at the finals, but only one will survive the African Play-Offs.Cameroon leads the pack with a record eight World Cup appearances for an African team, including their historic 1990 quarter-final run.Nigeria follows with six appearances, while DR Congo’s only outing came in 1974 when they competed as Zaire. Gabon, meanwhile, are chasing their first-ever qualification.Nigeria face Gabon in Rabat on Thursday before Cameroon meet DR Congo later that evening. The two winners will contest Sunday’s final in the Moroccan capital, with the victor advancing to the global Play-Off Tournament in March 2026. That event will determine two of the final World Cup slots.Nigeria, the highest-ranked of the quartet, secured their playoff berth narrowly after finishing among the best runners-up in the African qualifiers.Gabon impressed with 25 points, spearheaded by Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s scoring form. Cameroon and DR Congo, both former African champions, renew their rivalry for the first time since a 1-1 friendly draw in 2015.