The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has confirmed that Morocco will host the decisive playoffs in November 2025, which will determine the African team advancing to the intercontinental qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
This mini-tournament will feature the four best second-placed teams from CAF’s nine qualifying groups, competing in high-stakes semi-finals on November 13, followed by a final on November 16.
The winner will earn the right to face representatives from Asia, South America, Oceania, or CONCACAF in the intercontinental play-offs set for March 2026.
Seeding for the playoff draw will be based on the FIFA rankings released in October 2025, pitting the top-ranked nation against the fourth, and the second against the third in the semi-finals.
Morocco’s appointment as host signals the country’s continuing prominence in African football and offers a neutral battleground for what promises to be a fiercely contested qualification climax.
With the 2026 World Cup expanding and competition intensifying, the November playoffs in Morocco represent Africa’s final shot at securing a coveted spot on football’s biggest global stage.
