2026 FIFA World Cup qualification – CAF second round

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2026 FIFA World Cup qualification – CAF second round (CAF play-offs)

Overview
- The CAF second round, also known as the CAF play-offs, decided which African team would reach the inter-confederation play-offs for the 2026 World Cup.
- Four teams qualified as the best runners-up from the CAF first round: Gabon, DR Congo, Cameroon, and Nigeria.
- All matches were single-leg knockouts held in Morocco from 13 to 16 November 2025.
- The winner advanced to the inter-confederation play-offs in March 2026.

Qualified teams
- Gabon (Group F runner-up)
- DR Congo (Group B runner-up)
- Cameroon (Group D runner-up)
- Nigeria (Group I runner-up)
Note: Eritrea withdrew from the first round, and results against sixth-place teams were discounted.

Format and schedule
- Teams were seeded based on the FIFA Men’s World Ranking as of 17 October 2025.
- Semifinals on 13 November 2025; final on 16 November 2025.
- All games played in Morocco. A draw on 30 October 2025 determined semifinal venues.
- If tied at the end of regulation, extra time was played, followed by penalties if needed.
- The winner moved on to the inter-confederation play-offs in March 2026.

Results
- Semi-finals
- Nigeria 4–1 Gabon (after extra time) at Moulay Hassan Stadium, Rabat.
- DR Congo 1–0 Cameroon at Al Medina Stadium, Rabat.
- Final
- DR Congo 1–1 Nigeria; DR Congo won 4–3 on penalties at Moulay Hassan Stadium, Rabat.
- Winner: DR Congo advanced to the inter-confederation play-offs.

Goalscorers
- 8 goals in 3 matches (average 2.67 per game).
- Victor Osimhen (Nigeria) – 2 goals
- 1 goal each for: Meschak Elia (DR Congo), Chancel Mbemba (DR Congo), Mario Lemina (Gabon), Akor Adams (Nigeria), Chidera Ejuke (Nigeria), Frank Onyeka (Nigeria)

Discipline
- Players could be suspended for red cards or two yellow cards in certain matches.
- Yellow cards from the qualifying group stage could carry to the semi-finals, but not to the final or future tournaments.

Next stage
- DR Congo, by winning the play-offs, advanced to the inter-confederation play-offs in March 2026.