2026 FIFA World Cup qualification – CAF Group C
Association football competition in Africa
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
Pos | Team
| Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Rwanda | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 1 | +2 | 7 | 2026 FIFA World Cup | — | 2–0 | Oct '25 | Mar | Mar | 0–0 | |
2 | South Africa | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 5 | +1 | 7 | Possible play-off stage | Oct '25 | — | 2–1 | Mar | Sep '25 | 3–1 | |
3 | Benin | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 3 | +1 | 7 | 1–0 | Mar | — | Sep '25 | 2–1 | Sep '25 | ||
4 | Lesotho | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 2 | +1 | 5 | 0–1 | Sep '25 | 0–0 | — | Oct '25 | Oct '25 | ||
5 | Nigeria | 4 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 5 | −1 | 3 | Sep '25 | 1–1 | Oct '25 | 1–1 | — | Mar | ||
6 | Zimbabwe | 4 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 6 | −4 | 2 | Sep '25 | Oct '25 | Mar | 0–2 | 1–1 | — |
Updated to match(es) played on 11 June 2024. Source: FIFA
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers
Matches
South Africa | 2–1 | Benin |
---|---|---|
Report |
|
Referee: Mahmood Ismail (Sudan)
Rwanda | 2–0 | South Africa |
---|---|---|
| Report |
Benin | 1–0 | Rwanda |
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| Report |
Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium, Abidjan (Ivory Coast)
Attendance: 3,600
Referee: Dahane Beida (Mauritania)
Zimbabwe | 0–2 | Lesotho |
---|---|---|
Report |
|
Orlando Stadium, Johannesburg (South Africa)
Referee: Thulani Sibandze (Eswatini)
Nigeria | 1–1 | South Africa |
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| Report |
|
Referee: Alhadi Allaou Mahamat (Chad)
Benin | 2–1 | Nigeria |
---|---|---|
Report |
|
Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium, Abidjan (Ivory Coast)
Referee: Pierre Atcho (Gabon)
South Africa | 3–1 | Zimbabwe |
---|---|---|
Report |
|
Referee: Mohamed Maarouf Eid Mansour (Egypt)
Goalscorers
There have been 22 goals scored in 12 matches, for an average of 1.83 goals per match (as of 11 June 2024).
2 goals
1 goal
- Dodo Dokou
- Jodel Dossou
- Motlomelo Mkwanazi
- Rethabile Rasethuntsa
- Jane Thabantso
- Semi Ajayi
- Fisayo Dele-Bashiru
- Kelechi Iheanacho
- Raphael Onyedika
- Jojea Kwizera
- Gilbert Mugisha
- Innocent Nshuti
- Khuliso Mudau
- Iqraam Rayners
- Percy Tau
- Themba Zwane
- Tawanda Chirewa
- Walter Musona
References
- ^ "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.
- ^ "CAF reveals new format for 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers". cafonline.com. CAF. 19 May 2023. Retrieved 15 July 2023.