The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced a modification to the qualification criteria for the African qualifiers of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, following the withdrawal of Eritrea from the competition.

In a circular dated March 14, 2025, and signed by CAF’s Director of Tournaments and Events, Samson Adamu, the continental football body outlined updated procedures to ensure a fair and uniform method for determining the four best runners-up across all qualifying groups.

According to CAF, the adjustments became necessary due to “withdrawals and other circumstances that may reduce the number of teams in any group to fewer than five.” Eritrea’s exit from Group E reduced the number of competing teams in that pool, triggering the implementation of CAF’s contingency criteria.

Revised Qualification Rules

Under the new format, results against the bottom-ranked or withdrawn teams will not be considered when comparing the second-placed teams across the nine qualification groups.

This measure, CAF explained, ensures consistency and fairness in determining which four runners-up will progress to the continental playoff — the stage that decides Africa’s potential additional representative in the intercontinental FIFA play-off tournament.

CAF noted that the new policy aligns with Article 11.5 of the FIFA World Cup 2026 preliminary competition regulations, which provides for adjustments in the event of team withdrawals or disqualifications.

Background and Implications

Eritrea’s withdrawal marks the first significant alteration in the ongoing African qualifying campaign, which features 54 nations divided into nine groups of six teams each.

Under the existing structure:

The nine group winners will qualify directly for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The four best runners-up will advance to a centralized CAF playoff, where the winner will earn a place in the FIFA intercontinental playoffs for an additional World Cup berth.

CAF Reaffirms Commitment

CAF reiterated its determination to uphold the integrity and fairness of the qualification process, despite challenges posed by withdrawals and administrative disruptions.

“These adjustments are necessary to maintain balance across all groups and ensure a transparent qualification process,” the circular emphasized.

The updated regulations are expected to guide all remaining fixtures in the 2026 World Cup African qualifiers, which continue later this year across the continent.