Egypt cruise to 2026 World Cup as Cape Verde edge closer to making history

Egypt became the third African nation to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after defeating Djibouti 3-0 in Casablanca on Wednesday. The Pharaohs, led by captain Mohamed Salah, dominated from start to finish in a performance that underlined their status as one of Africa’s elite football powers.

Ibrahim Adel opened the scoring early on before Salah added two more goals, ensuring Egypt topped Group A with 23 points from an unbeaten campaign. It marks Egypt’s fourth appearance at a World Cup and their second in the last three editions, joining Morocco and Tunisia as Africa’s confirmed representatives for next year’s finals in North America.

Behind them, Burkina Faso ended their campaign with a narrow 1-0 win over Sierra Leone, but it wasn’t enough to catch the Egyptians.

Related News: Salah makes history with third PFA Player of the Year award

Cape Verde’s fairytale quest still alive

While Egypt celebrated qualification, Cape Verde Islands continued to write one of the most inspiring stories in African football. The island nation played out a dramatic 3-3 draw against Libya in Tripoli, coming back from 3-1 down to salvage a point that keeps their World Cup dream alive.

The Blue Sharks had a golden opportunity to seal qualification in stoppage time when four players broke clear on a counter-attack, only for the play to be halted by an incorrect offside call. They also had a potential winning shot cleared off the line in the dying seconds.

Despite the setback, Cape Verde sit atop Group D with 20 points, two ahead of Cameroon, who defeated Mauritius 2-0 thanks to goals from Nicolas Ngamaleu and Bryan Mbeumo. A win in their final game against Eswatini at home on Monday would confirm Cape Verde’s first-ever World Cup qualification, making them the second smallest nation ever to reach the tournament.

Ghana move within reach

In Group I, Ghana produced a commanding display to thrash the Central African Republic 5-0 in Meknes. Goals from Mohammed Salisu, Thomas Partey, Alexander Djiku, Jordan Ayew, and Kamaldeen Sulemana gave the Black Stars a crucial win that moved them three points clear of Madagascar.

Madagascar managed a 2-1 victory over Comoros under heavy rain in Abidjan, but Ghana now only need a single point from their final home fixture against Comoros in Accra to book their ticket to North America.

In other results across the continent, Angola had to fight back for a 2-2 draw against Eswatini in their first game under new coach Patrice Beaumelle, while Mali secured a 2-0 win over Chad. Ethiopia edged Guinea-Bissau 1-0, rounding off an action-packed day in the African qualifiers.

African Race to North America intensifies

With Egypt, Morocco, and Tunisia already qualified, and Cape Verde and Ghana on the verge of joining them, Africa’s representation at the 2026 FIFA World Cup could feature both established giants and historic debutants.

For Egypt, the journey to North America is already sealed. For Cape Verde, it’s 90 minutes away from history.