Africa is in great danger of missing out on the 2026 World Cup.

This international truce of September marked a pivotal moment in the  2026 World Cup qualifiers  for the Africa zone. With nine direct tickets to the tournament being held in Canada, the United States, and Mexico, two spots have already been claimed by Morocco and Tunisia. Although not yet qualified, Egypt appears to be on a promising trajectory, joined by South Africa, Algeria, Ghana, and the surprising team from  Cape Verde , which is on the verge of achieving a historic qualification. Meanwhile,  Côte d’Ivoire  managed to maintain its position at the top of the group by holding  Gabon  to a 0-0 draw. In contrast,  Senegal  secured its place by overcoming  DR Congo  in a thrilling match that ended 3-2, effectively taking the lead in its group. However, several prominent teams from the African continent have faltered, facing a daunting path towards qualification.

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<p>Qualified in 2022 after a legendary playoff against Algeria,  Cameroon  now finds itself in dire straits. In their recent match against Cape Verde, the Indomitable Lions were defeated 1-0, a result that left them needing to regroup urgently. Cape Verde now stands four points ahead and only requires a victory against Libya or Eswatini to finalize their qualification. It’s a remarkable achievement for the Lusophone island nation, while Cameroon's struggles continue. The team has drawn three times against Libya, Angola, and Eswatini. With only two matches left, Cameroon is precariously positioned, currently sixth among second-placed teams and risking missing the World Cup.</p>

<h2>Cameroon in Great Danger</h2>

<p>Coach Marc Brys of Cameroon expressed his shock following the defeat against Cape Verde, describing it as the first setback of his tenure: "<em>They played with great will. They supported each other. Unfortunately, at some point, doubt settled in our team. I don’t know why.</em>" Despite showing improvement in the second half, the Indomitable Lions could not find the goal they needed. Off-field issues have also plagued Cameroon’s campaign. Brys had previously announced a false resignation, and tension between the  Cameroonian Football Federation , led by  Samuel Eto'o , and the government has been palpable since the coach was appointed against Eto'o's wishes.</p>

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<p>During his inaugural training session, Brys lamented the lack of basic resources: "<em>We have no balls, we have no equipment. Do you think the training camp is going well? It doesn’t go well...</em>" Now, Cameroon’s next efforts must be directed towards upcoming clashes against Mauritius and Angola, where they must secure points to have any hope of advancing.</p>

<h2>Nigeria on the Edge of the Precipice</h2>

<p>In a more precarious situation than Cameroon,  Nigeria  finds itself teetering on the brink of elimination. Despite possessing star players like  Victor Osimhen , the Super Eagles face a grim reality after a lackluster 1-1 draw against South Africa. This result leaves them six points behind their rivals. The Super Eagles are currently third in their group, with  Benin  unexpectedly taking second place, leaving Nigeria with just two victories under their belt. They drew five matches, including more than one against South Africa and even suffered a defeat against Benin.</p>

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<p>With only four points separating them from the qualification zone, Nigeria now faces a daunting challenge ahead. The team has seen four different coaches at the helm since January, creating instability. After a disappointing performance in the last  African Cup of Nations , losing in the final to Côte d'Ivoire, another missed opportunity at the World Cup would compound their woes.</p>

<p>Other major teams are also grappling with qualification issues. The  DR Congo , suffering a setback against Senegal, is under significant pressure, trailing just two points behind. Similarly,  Burkina Faso  and  Guinea  have challenging paths ahead, facing uphill battles to maintain their hopes. As the qualifiers head towards the final matches in October, the stakes are higher than ever, and the countdown to the World Cup grows ever more tantalizing.</p>