Ghana, Egypt and Cape Verde could book their 2026 tickets today

by Graeme Jackson

Wednesday Oct 08, 2025. 12:00

Matchday 9 of Africa’s FIFA World Cup qualifiers gets underway on Wednesday 9 October with 11 fixtures across the continent, with Ghana, Egypt and Cape Verde all hoping to secure a direct ticket to next year’s global tournament.

Cape Verde’s Blue Sharks can clinch top spot in Group D – and their first ever ticket to a World Cup tournament – if they can defeat Libya in Tripoli in one of four mid-afternoon kick-offs.

However, it’s no ‘fait accompli’ for the island nation, as a failure to win may allow Cameroon – who play away to Mauritius in Saint Pierre at the same time – to slash the current four-point gap at the top of the table and set up a nail-biting Matchday 10 conclusion next Monday.

In the early evening matches, all eyes will be on Egypt, as a win over minnows Djibouti in neutral Casablanca will guarantee top spot in Group A and secure their fourth World Cup appearance – adding to 1934, 1990 and 2018.

At the same time, Group I could be decided by matches in El Jadida and Abidjan. In the former, the Central African Republic ‘host’ Ghana, while the latter sees Madagascar ‘visit’ Comoros. The Black Stars have a three-point lead over Madagascar at the top of the log, with Comoros just a further point back.

A win for Otto Addos’ team over CAR combined with a draw or Comoros win in Abidjan would see Ghana qualify for a fifth World Cup showing – adding to 2006, 2010, 2014 and 2022.

Former Black Stars captain Asamoah Gyan has backed the current team to get the job done – either on Wednesday, or on Sunday in their final Group I match against Comoros.

“We are very close. The players have their destiny in their hands. They have done all the work and must add the finishing touch. They should go out, play their hearts out and get the win,” noted Gyan.

“Some games come with good pressure and keep you on your toes. This is one of those games. I feel there is a bit of pressure, but that is normal. Some of the players did it in 2022 and I am sure they can handle it.”

Wednesday also features night matches from Group E (which has already been won by Morocco), as Tanzania and Zambia renew their rivalry in Zanzibar City, and Niger tackles Congo in Ouagadougou.

2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers (CAF/Africa)

Matchday 9 fixtures – Wednesday 8 October 2025

Times CAT

15:00: Libya v Cape Verde

15:00: Mauritius v Cameroon

15:00: Ethiopia v Guinea-Bissau

15:00: Eswatini v Angola

18:00: Chad v Mali

18:00: Comoros v Madagascar

18:00: Sierra Leone v Burkina Faso

18:00: Central Africa Republic v Ghana

18:00: Djibouti v Egypt

21:00: Tanzania v Zambia

21:00: Niger v Congo