CAF to have 9 representatives at the 2026 FIFA world cup
By Stephen Tadaha, with contributions from fifa.com
CAF’s number of places at the 2026 FIFA World Cup might increase from 5 to 9 during the next edition of the tournament. The decision follows the increase in the world cup teams from 32 to 48 meaning the 2022 FIFA World Cup taking place in Qatar is the last 32 team format for the world football jamboree.
The tournament will be jointly hosted by 16 cities in three countries: Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
The total number of matches to be played will consequently increase from 64 to 80 and will be played in 32 days as the previous format.
The United States will host 60 matches, including every match from the quarterfinals onward, while Canada and Mexico will each host 10 matches. The tournament will be the first hosted by three nations.
According to the FIFA Council that unanimously voted the new format in 2017, the tournament will open with a group stage consisting of 16 groups of three teams, with the top two teams progressing from each group to a knockout tournament starting with a round of 32 teams. The number of games played overall will increase from 64 to 80, but the number of games played by finalists remains at seven. Each team will play one fewer group match than under the previous format, compensating for the additional knockout round.
The confederation receiving the most spots is CAF and with four guaranteed places plus an intercontinental playoff slot followed by the AFC, earning four additional places. UEFA receives three extra places, same , with CONCACAF while CONMEBOL earns three. OFC on her part earns one.
