Overview

• Riyad Mahrez scored and assisted twice as Algeria beat Somalia 3-0, a designated Somalia home match played in Algeria, to clinch top spot in Group G.
• Algeria join Morocco, Tunisia and Egypt as Africa’s confirmed qualifiers for 2026, with five more direct CAF places still to be decided.
• Egypt secured qualification a day earlier with a 3-0 win over Djibouti in Casablanca, as Mohamed Salah scored twice and Ibrahim Adel added the other goal.
• CAF’s system grants nine direct berths and routes the four best runners‑up to a November playoff, with the winner advancing to a six‑team intercontinental playoff in March 2026.
• Cape Verde are one win from first‑ever qualification after a 3-3 draw at Libya, and Ghana need a point at home to Comoros; worldwide, roughly 19–21 teams are now confirmed for next summer’s tournament in the United States, Mexico and Canada.