The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially confirmed that Morocco will host the 2026 FIFA World Cup African play-off matches, setting the stage for a tense showdown between Nigeria and Gabon next month.

According to CAF, the play-off semi-finals will take place on November 13, with Nigeria facing Gabon at the Prince Moulay El Hassan Sports Complex in Rabat. 

The second semi-final between Cameroon and the Democratic Republic of Congo will hold the same day at El Barid Stadium. The winners of both matches will meet in the final on November 16, also at the Prince Moulay El Hassan Sports Complex, to determine who moves on to the intercontinental playoffs.

The mini-tournament format was introduced to give one more African nation a chance to join the nine already qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be hosted across the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

This is a crucial test for the Super Eagles

Nigeria earned their play-off spot after finishing as one of the four best runners-up in the CAF qualifying series, alongside Gabon, Cameroon, and DR Congo. 

The pairings were based on the latest FIFA rankings, with Nigeria ranked 41st, the highest among the four, while Gabon sits at 79th.

The Super Eagles will be looking to make a strong statement after missing the last World Cup in Qatar. The team’s confidence has been boosted by the return of key players, including Victor Osimhen, who recently scored a hat-trick against Benin to secure Nigeria’s qualification for the playoffs. 

Osimhen has publicly expressed his determination to help Nigeria reach the 2026 World Cup, calling the upcoming clash with Gabon “a battle we must win.”

It;s happening in Morocco

CAF’s decision to host the matches in Morocco is part of ongoing efforts to use the country’s modern football infrastructure for continental competitions. 

The Prince Moulay El Hassan Sports Complex in Rabat and the El Barid Stadium in Casablanca are known for their top-quality facilities and have hosted several CAF and FIFA-sanctioned games in recent years.

The first semi-final between Nigeria and Gabon will kick off at 5 p.m. Nigerian time, while the Cameroon vs. DR Congo match will follow at 8 p.m. 

The final will be played on November 16 at 8 p.m., with the winner securing a ticket to the intercontinental playoffs scheduled for March 2026 in Mexico.

How the Super Eagles could qualify

If Nigeria wins the African playoffs, they will face a team from another continent in the final qualification round. 

Given their strong FIFA ranking and current form, many Nigerian fans believe the Super Eagles have a clear path to making their return to the global stage.