The Confédération Africaine de Football [CAF] has 54 FIFA members. All 54 entered the qualifiers for the 2026 Men’s World Cup, but Eritrea withdrew after the draw for the group phase, leaving 53 participating teams.

Nine CAF teams qualify for the 2026 Men’s World Cup, and one advances to the interconfederation playoffs. There are two phases of play prior to the playoffs.

GROUP PHASE

• 53 teams
• Nine groups: eight with 6 teams each, one with 5 teams
• Double round robin [home and away]
• 9 teams qualify for final tournament:
  • First placed team in each group
• 4 teams advance to CAF playoffs:
  • Top four second placed teams
• Remaining 40 teams eliminated

CAF PLAYOFFS

• 4 teams
• Two rounds of playoffs:
  • Semifinals: Two matches
  • Final: One match
• Single matches [extra time and penalties if needed]
• 1 team advances to interconfederation playoffs:
  • Winner of final match
• Remaining 3 teams eliminated