Nigeria will face Gabon in the semi-finals of the CAF 2026 FIFA World Cup Play-Offs, following a dominant 4–0 victory over the Benin Republic in Uyo on Tuesday. The win, powered by Victor Osimhen’s stunning hat-trick, secured Nigeria’s spot among the four best runners-up in the African qualifiers.
Gabon booked their place after finishing second in Group F, defeating Burundi 2–0 as the Ivory Coast topped the group. Meanwhile, DR Congo and Cameroon also advanced as runners-up from Groups B and D, setting up the second semi-final encounter between the two Central African sides.
The play-offs, scheduled for November 13–16 in Morocco, will determine which nation claims Africa’s additional slot for the expanded 48-team 2026 World Cup in Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
Nigeria, currently the highest-ranked team among the four, will face Gabon, the lowest-ranked, in a single-leg knockout semi-final. Winners of both semis will meet three days later in the final, with the victor progressing to the intercontinental play-offs in March 2026.
If the level is reached after 90 minutes, matches will proceed to extra time and penalties. CAF confirmed that all fixtures will take place in Morocco, the stage now set for Africa’s final World Cup showdown.
