The third day of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, which takes place between this Wednesday, June 4 and Sunday, offers posters between big contenders for qualification. Senegal-DR Congo, Mali-Ghana or even Algeria-Guinea, shocks which could already prove decisive in the rush towards the Americas.
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Of course, it’s only the third day and after that, everything will still be possible to obtain the winning ticket for the 2026 World Cup organized in the United States, in Mexico and Canada. Especially with marathon qualifications lasting ten days over two years for the Africa zone. But the matches that will be played in the coming days could set a trend in the quest for the precious ticket with direct confrontations between the group favorites.
There will be a fiery Thursday June 6 with the Senegal-DRC, Mali-Ghana, Egypt-Burkina, and Algeria-Guinea posters which will be played at the same time (7 p.m. UT). Held in check during the second day in Togo (0-0), the Lions of Téranga, without their offensive leader Sadio Mané, injured in the knee and forfeited for the next two matches, will receive, in group B, the Leopards . The feat is perhaps within reach of Sébastien Desabre’s men who lost in Sudan (0-1) on the second day.
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Also beaten in the Comoros (0-1) last November, Ghana is already under pressure in Group I when it comes to challenging Mali in Bamako. A perilous trip also for Burkina Faso which goes to Cairo to face Egypt, leader of Group A after its two victories and two days.
Algeria, with his new coach Vladimir Petkovicwill be scrutinized when hosting Guinea, its most serious opponent in group G. Winners of their first two matches, the Fennecs have the opportunity to relegate Syli to six points in the event of success.
Ivory Coast faces Aubameyang’s Gabon
On Thursday, the task promises to be more delicate for Nigeria, held in check by Lesotho (1-1) and Zimbabwe (1-1) during the first days, and which receives South Africa who had really bothered him during the last CAN. The Super Eagles will be deprived of their striker Victor Osimhen, injured. The South Africans, beaten by Rwanda (0-2) during the second day of group C, will need to revive among the African vice-champions.
The Group F clash will take place in Bouaké with Côte d’Ivoire hosting Gabon on Thursday (7 p.m. UT). The African champions won their first two matches, the Panthers also. Which bodes well for a good fight between the men of Émerse Faé and those of Thierry Mouyouma reinforced by the return of Pierre-Émerick Aubaméyang, crowned Marc-Vivien Foé Prize 2024.
The fourth day is played from Sunday June 9 until Tuesday June 11.
The qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup in Africa are played over ten days, with nine groups of six teams. THE nine winners from each group qualify directly. A tenth country could qualify after play-offs between the four best runners-up first, then by winning intercontinental play-offs.
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