South Africa, Ivory Coast, and Senegal clinched the final three automatic African berths for the 2026 FIFA World Cup with commanding victories on October 14, 2025. Senegal delivered a 4-0 thrashing of Mauritania in Group B, led by Sadio Mané’s brace, finishing with 24 points. Ivory Coast, the reigning African champions, topped Group F with 26 points after a 3-0 win over Kenya, with goals from Franck Kessie, Yan Diomande, and Amad Diallo. South Africa secured Group C with 18 points, overcoming a three-point FIFA deduction to beat Rwanda 3-0, thanks to Thalente Mbatha, Oswin Appollis, and Evidence Makgopa. They join Algeria, Cape Verde, Egypt, Morocco, Ghana, and Tunisia at the tournament in the USA, Canada, and Mexico. Cameroon, DR Congo, Gabon, and Nigeria, as top runners-up, will compete in November playoffs for a potential 10th African spot.
