The Asian (AFC) and African (CAF) federations will determine which nations will represent their regions in the inter-confederation play-offs for the 2026 FIFA World Cup this week. Four teams remain in contention in Africa, while Asia’s final potential spot will be settled in a two-legged playoff. For fans of knockout football, this is the week to tune in.
Nigeria’s Super Eagles in Wages Dispute Ahead of Gabon Clash
Nigeria’s football federation has long been criticized domestically for corruption and mismanagement. Ahead of a decisive match that could determine whether the nation fulfills its World Cup ambitions, Nigeria’s players and staff boycotted training over unpaid wages. From the London Evening Standard: “The full squad, including officials, withheld from training today in Morocco because of unresolved issues with outstanding payments.”
Nigeria believes it should be among Africa’s powerhouses. The Super Eagles have appeared in six World Cups since 1994 and are three-time AFCON champions. Yet they now stand just one match away from missing their second consecutive World Cup.
To their credit, Nigeria remain unbeaten in 2025, but an inability to finish matches has led to too many draws. They needed consecutive wins—and some help—to even reach this final qualifying phase.
Playing Gabon at a neutral venue in Morocco, Nigeria’s squad includes Fulham’s Calvin Bassey, Samuel Chukwueze, Alex Iwobi, and star striker Victor Osimhen of Galatasaray. Osimhen, who has scored 29 goals for his country, could once again be the difference-maker.
While Nigeria deals with off-field turmoil, underdogs Gabon are dreaming of their first-ever World Cup appearance. Under local coach Thierry Mouyouma, Gabon won back-to-back matches in October to reach this stage.
Their roster lacks Nigeria’s depth, but features several French-based players. Mario Lemina (Galatasaray) adds stability in midfield, while legendary forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Marseille) and Denis Bouanga (LAFC)—with 38 and 15 international goals respectively—lead the attack. Gabon can score, and Nigeria will need to match that firepower to advance.
The second CAF semifinal presents a familiar storyline: a traditional powerhouse versus a rising underdog. DR Congo haven’t reached the World Cup since 1974 but have built steady momentum in 2025, losing just once in eight matches. Though their games are typically low-scoring, they’ve proven resilient—winning a pair of 1–0 matches in October.
DR Congo’s squad includes captain Chancel Mbemba (Lille), striker Cédric Bakambu (Real Betis, 20 goals for his country), and several Premier League names: Noah Sadiki (Sunderland), Aaron Wan-Bissaka (West Ham), and Axel Tuanzebe (Burnley). The blend of experience and youth continues with Michel-Ange Balikwisha (Celtic) and Mario Stroeykens (Anderlecht) earning first caps. Where Bakambu’s goals go, this team tends to follow.
Cameroon, a five-time AFCON champion, has appeared in eight World Cups, famously reaching the 1990 quarterfinals. In this cycle, a defeat to first-time qualifiers Cape Verde and a scoreless draw with Angola left them in the playoff stage.
The squad still boasts quality: André Onana (Trabzonspor) in goal, Carlos Baleba (Brighton) in midfield, and the attacking duo of Vincent Aboubakar (now in Azerbaijan) and Bryan Mbeumo (Manchester United). Still, Cameroon’s golden generation has aged, and the squad lacks the star power it once had.
With the team also facing federation turmoil, a shock defeat in either the semifinal or final wouldn’t be unthinkable. On paper, Nigeria have the best roster, but with so much chaos off the pitch, the battle for Africa’s intercontinental playoff slot looks like a coin flip.
In Asia, the United Arab Emirates host Iraq on November 13, before the return leg in Basra on November 18. Iraq’s strategy will be to defend resolutely in the first leg and take advantage of home conditions in the second.
The UAE are chasing their first World Cup appearance since 1990. Most of their squad plays domestically in the UAE Pro League, apart from young forward Mohamed Awadalla (Lechia Gdańsk, Poland). The team is known for discipline and organization, though the presence of several naturalized players such as Luanzinho and Caio Canedo continues to spark debate.
Iraq, meanwhile, haven’t qualified since 1986 but famously won the 2007 Asian Cup, uniting a nation amid civil conflict. The “Lions of Mesopotamia” strung together four straight wins from June to October before a scoreless draw with Saudi Arabia stalled progress. Their main weakness remains finishing in front of goal.
Managed by Australia’s Graham Arnold, Iraq’s roster features domestic talent along with a few Europe-based players, including Ali Al-Hamadi (Luton Town) and Montader Madjed (Hammarby). Both sides sit close in the FIFA rankings, and with World Cup expansion to 48 teams, this playoff represents a golden chance for one of them to make history.
Last Word on Football will continue to bring updates from the thrilling final stages of World Cup qualifying across Africa and Asia this November.
