Algeria become fourth African qualifiers for 2026

Algeria players celebrates victory during the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers 2026 match between Somalia and Algeria held at Miloud Hadefi Stadium in Oran , Algeria on 09 October 2025 ©Djaffar Ladjal/BackpagePix

by Graeme Jackson

Thursday Oct 09, 2025. 20:41

Algeria have been confirmed as the fourth African team to book their place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, as Matchday 9 qualifiers continued across the continent on Thursday.

Needing a win in their early-evening ‘away’ match against Somalia in Oran to secure top spot in Group G, the Fennec Foxes powered to a 3-0 triumph courtesy of goals from Mohamed Amoura (two) and Riyad Mahrez

Algeria will head to their fifth World Cup in 2026, adding to appearances in 1982, 1986, 2010 and 2014. They join Morocco, Tunisia and Egypt in a North African quartet which has punched their ticket to North America.

Elsewhere in Group G, Uganda took a major step toward securing second place with a 1-0 away win over Botswana in Francistown, courtesy of Jude Ssemugabi’s header, while third-placed Mozambique succumbed 1-2 at home to Guinea. Abdoul Karim Traore netted both goals for the Syli National.

In a lone Group H match played in Monrovia, Liberia cut Namibia’s lead in the race for second place (behind already-qualified Tunisia) to one point with a 3-1 win over the Brave Warriors: Ayouba Kosiah, Mamadu Bah and Edward Ledlum scored for the hosts at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sport Complex.

In the only afternoon match, Kenya defeated East African rivals Burundi 1-0 at the Intwari Stadium in Bujumbura. The Swallows had Bonfils Bimenyimana sent off early on, and the Harambee Stars claimed victory courtesy of a second-half strike from Ryan Ogam – rising to third place in Group F.

A scheduled early-evening Group H match between Malawi and Equatorial Guinea at the Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe was postponed.

Matchday 9 concludes with nine games on Friday, featuring Senegal and Ivory Coast chasing qualification, as well as the likes of South Africa and Nigeria in vital Group C action.

2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers (CAF/Africa)

Results, Thursday 9 October

Burundi 0-1 Kenya

Liberia 3-1 Namibia

Mozambique 1-2 Guinea

Somalia 0-3 Algeria – *Algeria secured qualification

Malawi v Equatorial Guinea – Postponed

Botswana 0-1 Uganda