The race for 2026 World Cup spots is heating up, and controversy is brewing as FIFA’s recent rulings shake up qualifying groups. South Africa’s head coach, Hugo Broos, has issued a stern warning to his squad ahead of their critical match against Benin on Tuesday, stressing that no player is guaranteed a spot in the starting lineup.
Broos, 72, reminded his players that the team is a “family of 23” rather than a fixed starting 11, making it clear that every spot is up for grabs. Speaking before the Group C showdown in Abidjan, the Belgian coach, who led Belgium to a fourth-place finish in the 1986 World Cup, revealed that while youngsters Relebohile Mofokeng and Jayden Adams impressed in their 2-0 win over Lesotho, they may not start against Benin.
Meanwhile, off the pitch, a legal battle is brewing in Group H after FIFA overturned a ban on Equatorial Guinea’s star player, Emilio Nsue. Nsue, who had been deemed ineligible by FIFA due to his Spanish birth, is now being hailed as a hero, and the central Africans are pushing for their 1-0 victories over Namibia and Liberia to be restored. If successful, Equatorial Guinea could rise from fifth to second in the group, which Tunisia currently leads.
The situation in Group E is even more uncertain, as Eritrea mysteriously withdrew before the qualifiers began, and Congo Brazzaville has been suspended due to government interference. If Congo is excluded, the group will be reduced to four teams, altering the course of the qualifiers for several nations, including Morocco, who were semi-finalists in the 2022 World Cup.
With nine group winners securing automatic qualification for the 2026 World Cup, the pressure is mounting for teams vying for the best-ranked runners-up spots, which will enter play-offs. In light of this, average points per game might play a pivotal role, a system already used in various national leagues, including Major League Soccer during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The intensity of this World Cup qualifying round is undeniable, and here’s a quick look at five key matchups for Matchday 6:
Benin vs South Africa
Coach Broos believes South Africa’s road match against Benin in the Ivory Coast could work in their favor, given Benin’s lack of a FIFA-approved stadium. However, South Africa has struggled against physically powerful teams like Benin in the past. They’ll need more from Burnley’s Lyle Foster and a strong team performance to secure crucial points.
Egypt vs Sierra Leone
Egypt’s Mohamed Salah, fresh off a brilliant performance against Ethiopia, will be the main threat for Sierra Leone, who will face a stern test in Cairo. New Sierra Leone coach Mohamed Kallon has his work cut out, especially as he looks to shut down the dangerous Egyptian attack.
Cameroon vs Libya
Samuel Eto’o, the new CAF executive committee member and Cameroon’s football federation president, will be watching his country’s Group D qualifier against Libya after his six-month FIFA ban ended. Cameroon coach Marc Brys is hoping to shake off the disappointment of a goalless draw against Eswatini.
Kenya vs Gabon
Kenya’s coach, Benni McCarthy, has lofty ambitions of qualifying for the World Cup, but with a seven-point deficit to Group F leaders Ivory Coast, they must defeat Gabon to keep their dreams alive. A win is essential if they are to challenge for a play-off spot.
Madagascar vs Ghana
Madagascar’s new coach, Corentin Martins, is aiming for the “unimaginable” by guiding the island nation to their first World Cup. A win over Group I leaders Ghana would put Madagascar at the top of their group, but the Ghanaians are coming off a dominant 5-0 victory over Chad and are ready to defend their position.
As the qualifiers intensify, each match is a battle for survival, and these high-stakes games are only set to get more dramatic as the road to the 2026 World Cup continues!
