2026 FIFA World Cup qualification – CAF Group C

The 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification – CAF Group C is a CAF qualifying group for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The group contains Nigeria, South Africa, Benin, Zimbabwe, Rwanda and Lesotho.

The group winner will directly qualify for the World Cup, and the runner-up could compete in the play-off to advance to the inter-confederation playoffs.[1][2]

Standings edit

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification            
1   Rwanda 2 1 1 0 2 0 +2 4 2026 FIFA World Cup 2–0 Mar '25 Mar '25 0–0 Oct '25
2   South Africa 2 1 0 1 2 3 −1 3 Possible play-off stage Oct '25 Sep '25 Mar '25 Jun 2–1
3   Nigeria 2 0 2 0 2 2 0 2 Sep '25 Jun 1–1 Mar '25 Oct '25
4   Lesotho 2 0 2 0 1 1 0 2 Jun Sep '25 Oct '25 Oct '25 0–0
5   Zimbabwe 2 0 2 0 1 1 0 2 Sep '25 Oct '25 1–1 Jun Mar '25
6   Benin 2 0 1 1 1 2 −1 1 Jun Mar '25 Jun Sep '25 Sep '25
Updated to match(es) played on 21 November 2023. Source: FIFA
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers

Matches edit

Rwanda  0–0  Zimbabwe
Report
Attendance: 7,500
Referee: Mohamed Ali Moussa (Niger)
Nigeria  1–1  Lesotho
  • Ajayi   67'
Report
South Africa  2–1  Benin
Report
Referee: Mahmood Ismail (Sudan)

Zimbabwe  1–1  Nigeria
Report
Stade Huye, Butare (Rwanda)
Attendance: 2,876
Referee: Souleiman Ahmed Djama (Djibouti)
Lesotho  0–0  Benin
Report
Attendance: 1,000
Referee: Tsegay Mogos Teklu (Eritrea)
Rwanda  2–0  South Africa
Report

Zimbabwe  v  Lesotho
Benin  v  Rwanda
Nigeria  v  South Africa

South Africa  v  Zimbabwe
Benin  v  Nigeria
Lesotho  v  Rwanda

South Africa  v  Lesotho
Zimbabwe  v  Benin
Rwanda  v  Nigeria

Benin  v  South Africa
Nigeria  v  Zimbabwe
Rwanda  v  Lesotho

Benin  v  Zimbabwe
Lesotho  v  South Africa
Nigeria  v  Rwanda

South Africa  v  Nigeria
Benin  v  Lesotho
Zimbabwe  v  Rwanda

Lesotho  v  Nigeria
Zimbabwe  v  South Africa
Rwanda  v  Benin

South Africa  v  Rwanda
Lesotho  v  Zimbabwe
Nigeria  v  Benin

Goalscorers edit

There have been 9 goals scored in 6 matches, for an average of 1.5 goals per match (as of 21 November 2023).

1 goal

References edit

  1. ^ "CAF Executive Committee approves FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers calendar and announces TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations Côte d'Ivoire 2023 Final Draw date". cafonline.com. CAF. 19 May 2023. Retrieved 15 July 2023.
  2. ^ "CAF reveals new format for 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers". cafonline.com. CAF. 19 May 2023. Retrieved 15 July 2023.