The race for a ticket in next year’s Africa Cup of Nations enters it’s last lap beginning from Wednesday as 24 Nations.
The remaining spots for the finals the following year will be determined in the next two rounds of qualifying, which are scheduled for November 13–16 (Match Day 5) and November 17–19 (Match Day 6).
Seven teams have already guaranteed their tickets to join hosts Morocco.
Algeria, Angola, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, DR Congo, Egypt, and Senegal are among the 52 countries that began the qualifications; thus far, they have joined Morocco in the finals field to compete for Africa’s most coveted title.
From December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026, the 35th edition of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations will be held.
en.AfricaTopSports.com takes a look on how
Group A:
Despite not earning all possible points in their last two games against Comoros, Tunisia has held onto their lead in Group A.
Madagascar is the only team without a win, and Gambia, who take against a revitalised Comoros, is still very much in the running for qualification.
FIXTURES
Madagascar Vs Tunisia
Gambia Vs Comoros
Table Standing
Tunisia (7)
Comoros (6)
Gambia (5)
Madagascar (2)
Group B:
Morocco is off to a flawless start, having won four of their last four games while giving up only one goal.
They want to keep up their strong play against Gabon, who came in second and had a strong qualifying campaign of their own.
The Central African Republic, who defeated their opponents with ease in their previous meeting, will be hoping to defeat Lesotho for the second match in a row.
If CAR wants to have a chance of reaching the finals, this match is essential.
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Lesotho Vs CAR
Gabon Vs Morocco
Table Standing
Morocco (12)
Gabon (7)
Central African Republic (3)
Lesotho (1)
Group C:
With four outstanding wins, Egypt has dominated Group C.
They take on a strong Botswana team that is eager to give the already qualified Pharaohs a serious battle because they also have finals aspirations.
Cape Verde and Mauritania are tied for third place and need to avoid any more mistakes if they want to qualify for the finals.
FIXTURES
Cape Verde Vs Egypt
Botswana Vs Mauritania
Table Standing
Egypt (12)
Botswana (6)
Cape Verde (3)
Mauritania (3)
Group D:
Nigeria continues to lead Group D thanks to their strong performances and goalless record.Rwanda is in third place, one point behind Benin in second.
The Super Eagles have a chance to guarantee their spot in the finals with their match against Benin on Match Day 5, while Libya will be itching for their first victory over Rwanda.
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Benin Vs Nigeria
Rwanda Vs Libya
Table Standing
Nigeria (10)
Benin (6)
Rwanda (5)
Libya (1)
Group E:
Algeria’s four wins to lead Group E further highlight North Africa’s supremacy.
They will face Equatorial Guinea, who are aiming for second place, to test their flawless record.
When Togo plays Liberia in a match that must be won, the pressure is growing.
The latter have already been eradicated.
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Equatorial Guinea Vs Algeria
Liberia Vs Togo
Table Standing
Algeria (12)
Equatorial Guinea (7)
Togo (2)
Liberia (1)
Group F:
With a spotless record and a commanding lead in Group F, already-qualified Angola looks to continue their winning streak against struggling Ghana, who must quickly gain points or risk missing out on the finals for the first time in 20 years.
When Sudan plays bottom-place Niger, they could solidify their hold on second position.
FIXTURES
Angola Vs Ghana
Niger Vs Sudan
Table Standing
Angola (12)
Sudan (7)
Ghana (2)
Niger (1)
Group G:
With three wins out of four games, the Elephants are a formidable force in Group G. Zambia, who are two points behind, will be a difficult test for them.
Sierra Leone and Chad will face off with everything on the line.
The lowest two clubs have a crucial chance to salvage their hopes of qualifying on this matchday.
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Chad Vs Sierra Leone
Zambia Vs Ivory Coast
Table Standing
Cote d’Ivoire (9)
Zambia (7)
Sierra Leone (4)
Chad (2)
Group H:
With four victories, DR Congo has dominated Group H, but Guinea poses a serious threat as they look to advance further in their own quest for qualifying.
Tanzania and Ethiopia are in desperate need of points and will try to take advantage of their clash on Match Day 5 in order to remain in the running.
FIXTURES
Guinea Vs DR Congo
Ethiopia Vs Tanzania
Table Standing
DR Congo (12)
Guinea (6)
Tanzania (4)
Ethiopia (1)
Group I:
Group I is a top-of-the-table matchup between Mali and Mozambique. In what could be an exciting match, both will be trying to guarantee a position in the finals.
When Guinea-Bissau plays eliminated Eswatini, they will be hoping to maintain their chances of qualifying.
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Mozambique Vs Mali
Eswatini Vs Guinea-Bissau
Table Standing
Mozambique (8)
Mali (8)
Guinea-Bissau (4)
Eswatini (1)
Group J:
As evidence of the Indomitable Lions’ dominance throughout the campaign, Cameroon leads Group J, with Zimbabwe coming in second.
After dropping their first four games, Namibia, who advanced to the last championships in Cote d’Ivoire, will not do so again.
Kenya is still in the running, but they need to defeat Zimbabwe on Match Day 5 in order for them to advance.
FIXTURES
Namibia Vs Cameroon
Zimbabwe Vs Kenya
Table Standing
Cameroon (10)
Zimbabwe (8)
Kenya (4)
Namibia (0)
Group K:
A draw will suffice for The Cranes, while the winner of the match between South Africa and Uganda will advance to the finals.
To maintain their prospects, Congo will need to defeat South Sudan, who has already been eliminated; a draw would not be sufficient.
FIXTURES
South Sudan Vs Congo
Uganda Vs South Africa
Table Standing
Uganda (10)
South Africa (8)
Congo (4)
South Sudan (0)
Group L:
Burkina Faso and Senegal are tied at the top of Group L, both showcasing solid performances so far with their tickets to the finals officially secured. With the teams set to face off, both will be eager to secure victories to close off the qualifiers in style and win the group. Burundi and Malawi are playing for pride.
FIXTURES
Burundi Vs Malawi
Burkina Faso Vs Senegal
TABLE STANDING
Burkina Faso (10)
Senegal (10)
Burundi (3)
Malawi (0)