Of the nine nations definitely heading to next year's World Cup from the African confederation, only Cape Verde will be sending a squad to the competition for the first time.

The October international window has provided nations with the chance to secure their places in the 2026 World Cup, with several African countries already booking their spots on football’s grandest stage,

The African play-offs will be held as a centralised tournament in Morocco, with stadiums to be confirmed at a later stage. Three matches will be played by knock-out system in the format of semi-finals and final. The semi-finals will take place on Thursday 13 November and the final on Sunday 16 November.

Left-arm spinner Noman Ali was leading Pakistan’s bid for victory against world test champion South Africa in the series-opening match Wednesday, taking key wickets and bowling unchanged in the morning session on Day 4.

New record for Salah in World Cup qualifiersMohamed Salah / @ star Mohamed Salah, Liverpool striker, continues to make history in golden letters after a masterful