Egypt Secures 2026 World Cup Qualification with Strong Performance
In a decisive match held in Casablanca, Egypt secured their place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a commanding 3-0 victory over Djibouti. The win was highlighted by the outstanding performance of Liverpool star Mohamed Salah, who scored twice in the game.
Salah, a two-time African Footballer of the Year, has been instrumental in Egypt’s qualifying campaign, netting nine goals over the past two years. His contributions have helped Egypt establish an unassailable five-point lead over Burkina Faso in Group A, ensuring their qualification for the World Cup.
Despite his success with the Egyptian national team, Salah has struggled to find form with his club, Liverpool, this season. He has managed only three goals in nine matches across all competitions, a stark contrast to his previous achievements where he won the Premier League title and the Golden Boot award with 29 goals last season.
The match against Djibouti saw Ibrahim Adel score the opening goal in the eighth minute, followed by Salah’s first goal six minutes later. Salah then sealed the victory with a second goal in the 84th minute, showcasing his ability to deliver when it matters most.
Egypt has a rich history in African football, having won the Africa Cup of Nations a record seven times. However, their World Cup success has been limited, with only four appearances in 15 attempts—specifically in 1934, 1990, 2018, and now 2026.
Ghana Advances in Group I
Ghana also made significant progress in their World Cup qualifying campaign, defeating the Central African Republic 5-0 in Meknes. The Black Stars, led by captain Jordan Ayew, needed just one point from their final Group I match at home to Comoros to secure qualification.
Goals from Mohammed Salisu, Alexander Djiku, Ayew, and Kamaldeen Sulemana ensured a comfortable victory. With 22 points and a strong goal difference, Ghana is in a favorable position to qualify, as they are three points ahead of Madagascar.
Mali, initially seen as favorites in the group, have fallen out of contention with 15 points, leaving the path clear for Ghana and other teams to secure their spots in the 2026 World Cup.
Cape Verde Edges Closer to World Cup Debut
Cape Verde, known as the Blue Sharks, had a thrilling comeback against Libya in Tripoli, drawing 3-3 after trailing by two goals. This result brings them closer to achieving their first-ever World Cup appearance.
With 20 points after nine rounds, Cape Verde leads Group D by two points over Cameroon, who have eight World Cup appearances—the most by any African nation. To clinch first place, Cape Verde must defeat Eswatini in Praia on Monday.
Cameroon’s campaign faced challenges, as they needed a late goal from Bryan Mbeumo to secure a 2-0 win over Mauritius. The Indomitable Lions will need to win their final match against Angola in Yaounde to keep their hopes of automatic qualification alive.
If Cape Verde finishes first, Cameroon may still have a chance to qualify through the play-offs, which will involve a mini-tournament with single-match semi-finals and a final. The winners of this tournament will advance to the inter-continental play-offs in March, where two World Cup spots will be up for grabs.
Eswatini Faces Challenges
Eswatini looked to end an eight-match winless streak in the mini-league, but their efforts were thwarted. South Africa-based Justice Figuareido scored twice in the second half, but Eswatini failed to maintain their lead, eventually drawing 2-2 with Angola.
Angola, under new French coach Patrice Beaumelle, showed resilience with a goal from Jonathan Buatu. However, a defensive error allowed Papel Ary to equalize in the final minutes, highlighting the challenges Eswatini continues to face in their qualifying campaign.
