Côte d’Ivoire and Senegal claimed Africa’s final two automatic qualifying spots for the 2026 Fifa World Cup as both sides registered victories on Tuesday, BBC Sport reports.
Senegal claimed a 4-0 home win over Mauritania to secure first place in Group B.
A Sadio Mane free-kick put the hosts ahead on the stroke of half-time and the former Liverpool forward slotted in his second before Iliman Ndiaye added a fine solo effort and Habib Diallo rounded off the scoring late on.
The Teranga Lions finished the campaign two points ahead of DR Congo, who beat Sudan 1-0 thanks to Theo Bongonda’s first-half strike.
Elsewhere, Franck Kessie gave Ivory Coast an early lead against Kenya in Group F and teenager Yan Diomande fired in to double the lead after the break.
Manchester United’s Amad curled in a fine free-kick to give the Elephants a 3-0 victory in Abidjan.
That result meant the reigning continental champions finished a point ahead of Gabon, who saw off Burundi 2-0 in Franceville after late goals from Bryan Meyo and Mario Lemina.
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Côte d’Ivoire went through the entire 10-game group campaign without conceding a goal, one of two nations on the continent to do so alongside Tunisia.
Senegal and Côte d’Ivoire join Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Algeria, Ghana, Cape Verde and South Africa in booking their ticket to next year’s World Cup finals.
One more side – the winners of next month’s continental play-offs – could join that group if they emerge from an inter-confederation tournament in March next year.
Cameroon, DR Congo, Gabon and Nigeria finished as the four best-ranked second-placed sides across the nine groups and one of those sides will have the chance to become Africa’s 10th representative at the expanded 48-team World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the United States.
The Confederation of African Football is yet to announce a date for the play-off draw.
3 Comments
“…Côte d’Ivoire went through the entire 10-game group campaign without conceding a goal, one of two nations on the continent to do so alongside Tunisia….”
CSN, please add that Senegal went the entire campaign without losing a match, and that Morocco did the same without dropping a point.
Let miscreants here continue bragging and jubilating about denying Benin Republic a playoff spot by goal difference………LMAOooooo.
Talk about the proverbial white rooster that swims in dirty ponds with ducks…….LMAOooo
Cote d’ivoire went through the 10 games (900 minutes, scratch it, 15 hours of football) without conceding, like Tunisia?
No one henceforth has the right or moral suasion to ever say minnows do not exist in football.
Nobody should say it again.
Worthy representative of Africa.
Hopefully, maybe FIFA can pull through with the one off centennial idea of 64 teams so that may be Nigeria can qualify directly haha.
One thing is certain: after Cape Verde tastes what world cup feels like, teams go dey pray to not jam them in next qualifiers.
4 of the 5 that went to Qatar just qualified for 2026 edition. Cameroon is in the playoffs.
So, it’s always motivating. Added revenue, inspired junior colleagues etc.
Lmao..see others qualifying with pride and in a king like fashion but my coutry wants to qualify in a slave like, babysitting and spoon feeding fashion…. through playoff? Lmao ….
Can’t remember the last time we had playoff….
Lmao…
GENERAL ROAH that was qualifying us with two games to spare we sacked him…. lmao
Confused country!