Goals, Glory, and Grit: Africa’s 2026 World Cup Qualifiers Reach Final Stretch

As Africa’s road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup nears its final two matchdays, the continent’s qualifying campaign has delivered drama, dazzling goals, and defensive masterclasses in equal measure.

From stunning scorelines to remarkable unbeaten runs, here’s a look at the key numbers and stories defining the race to North America.

Goal Galore Across the Groups

It’s been raining goals across the African qualifiers, with Group F leading the charts at 80 goals. Groups A and I follow closely behind with 64 goals each, showcasing the attacking flair that defines African football.

Topping the individual scoring chart is Denis Bouanga, the Los Angeles-based Gabonese forward, who has netted an impressive eight goals so far.

Morocco’s Magic

No team has shone brighter than Morocco, the continent’s surprise semi-finalists from the 2022 World Cup. The Atlas Lions have scored a tournament-high 21 goals, powered by Ayoub El Kaabi’s four and Ismael Saibari’s three.

Their dominance extends beyond attack — Morocco remain the only team with a perfect record, winning all seven of their matches after Eritrea’s withdrawal reduced their group to five teams.

Defensive Fortresses

At the other end of the pitch, Ivory Coast and Tunisia have proven near-impenetrable. Both reigning champions of their regions boast eight clean sheets, not conceding a single goal in their campaigns.

Tight Margins and Tense Draws

While some teams have soared, others have struggled to find finishing touches. Nigeria lead the draw chart with five stalemates, while Angola, Guinea-Bissau, South Sudan, Togo, and Zimbabwe have each shared the spoils four times.

Despite the draws, most matches have been fiercely competitive — 48 ended level and 71 were decided by a single goal. The biggest rout remains Ivory Coast’s 9-0 demolition of the Seychelles in Abidjan.

Race for Qualification Heats Up

Among the nine top-seeded nations, Morocco and Tunisia have already secured their World Cup tickets. Powerhouses Egypt, Senegal, Ivory Coast, and Algeria currently top their groups, while Mali have work to do after slipping to fourth.

Tough Times for the Underdogs

At the other end of the table, Seychelles and São Tomé e Príncipe continue to chase their first points after eight straight defeats. The Seychellois have managed only two goals while conceding 39.

Teams like Chad, Congo Brazzaville, Djibouti, Eswatini, Somalia, South Sudan, and Zimbabwe have earned points through draws — but are still waiting for that elusive win.

Home and Away Battles

Group G and I fans have had the most to cheer about, witnessing 13 home wins each. In contrast, Group E saw home teams triumph just six times, while Group H has been dominated by away sides, registering 10 victories on the road.

The Numbers That Tell the Story

Across 208 qualifiers played so far, the 1-0 scoreline has been the most common, occurring 43 times, followed by 2-0 wins (34 matches) and 1-1 draws (23).

As the final two matchdays approach, the African qualifiers are finely poised — filled with passion, unpredictability, and the promise of more unforgettable moments.
The continent’s march toward the 2026 World Cup is far from over, but one thing is certain: Africa’s road to glory has never looked this thrilling.