Egypt became the third African nation to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after a commanding 3-0 victory over Djibouti on Wednesday, joining Morocco and Tunisia as confirmed representatives from the continent at next year’s finals in North America.
The Pharaohs secured top spot in Group A with an unassailable 23 points, maintaining an unbeaten record throughout their campaign. Ibrahim Adel opened the scoring before Mohamed Salah struck twice to seal Egypt’s place at the tournament.
Their win in Casablanca left Burkina Faso, who beat Sierra Leone 1-0 away, trailing in second place.
It will be Egypt’s fourth appearance at the global showpiece, having previously featured in 1934, 1990, and 2018.
Elsewhere, Cape Verde came agonizingly close to clinching their first-ever World Cup qualification, drawing 3-3 away to Libya in a pulsating Group D encounter in Tripoli.
The island nation fought back from 3-1 down to level late in the game, only to be denied victory, and automatic qualification, by a controversial offside call in stoppage time when four players broke clear on goal.
Despite the setback, Cape Verde remain on the brink, sitting on 20 points, two clear of Cameroon, who beat Mauritius 2-0 courtesy of goals from Nicolas Ngamaleu and Bryan Mbeumo.
Cape Verde can secure qualification by beating Eswatini at home on Monday, which would make them the second-smallest nation ever to reach a World Cup.
In Group I, Ghana moved within touching distance of qualification after a resounding 5-0 win over the Central African Republic in Meknes. Mohammed Salisu opened the scoring before Thomas Partey, Alexander Djiku, Jordan Ayew, and Kamaldeen Sulemana added to the tally.
The Black Stars, who famously reached the 2010 quarter-finals, now need just a draw against Comoros in Accra on Sunday to confirm their place.
Elsewhere across the continent, Angola battled from behind to draw 2-2 with Eswatini in Patrice Beaumelle’s first match in charge, while Mali eased past Chad 2-0 and Ethiopia edged Guinea-Bissau 1-0 in other Wednesday fixtures.
With three African slots now secured, the race for the remaining places intensifies, as Cape Verde and Ghana look to make history and join the continent’s heavyweights on the world stage next year.
Source: Reuters
Written By Rodney Mbua
