Nigeria TV Info — CAF Confirms Morocco as Host of 2026 World Cup African Play-Off Tournament

Rabat, Morocco — October 13, 2025: The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially announced that Morocco will host the decisive African play-off tournament for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, set to take place in November 2025.

The mini-tournament will determine which African nation secures the continent’s final slot in the intercontinental play-offs, offering a last chance to qualify for the World Cup jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

According to a statement signed by Samson Adamu, CAF’s Director of Competitions and Events, the semi-final matches will be held on 13 November 2025, with the final scheduled for 16 November 2025.

Morocco, which is also set to host the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), has been chosen to stage this decisive phase of qualification due to its advanced football infrastructure and organizational experience.

The tournament will feature the four best runners-up from the nine African qualifying groups, based on final standings after the 10th and concluding round of qualifiers in mid-October 2025.

CAF also confirmed that the official FIFA World Rankings of 23 October 2025 will be used to determine the seedings for the semi-final draw.

Under the outlined competition format:

> “The highest-ranked team will meet the fourth-ranked side, while the second-ranked nation will face the third.”

This format ensures a fair and competitive balance as Africa seeks to finalize its representatives for the expanded 2026 World Cup, which will feature 48 teams for the first time in the tournament’s history.

— Nigeria TV Info