The 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers are heating up, and several teams are facing crucial matches that will determine their fate in the tournament. South Africa‘s coach, Hugo Broos, has warned his squad that no one’s starting position is guaranteed ahead of their match against Benin on Tuesday.
“No one is guaranteed a regular starting place. We are a family of 23, not 11,” said Broos, emphasizing that everyone must be ready to contribute. He also hinted that youngsters Relebohile Mofokeng and Jayden Adams, who scored in a 2-0 win over Lesotho, may not start against Benin.
“They were the right opponents for them to start, but maybe not Benin,” added Broos.
Meanwhile, FIFA’s decision to overturn a ban on Equatorial Guinea star Emilio Nsue has thrown Group H into uncertainty. Equatorial Guinea is demanding that the forfeiture of their victories over Namibia and Liberia be reversed, which could see them rise from fifth to second in the group.
In other news, Kenya’s new coach, Benni McCarthy, is dreaming of “surprising a lot of people” by qualifying for the World Cup.
“I want to surprise a lot of people by qualifying for the World Cup,” said McCarthy.
Kenya faces a must-win match against Gabon, trailing leaders Ivory Coast by seven points and Gabon by six.
Here are some key matches to watch out for:
Benin vs South Africa_: A top-of-the-table clash in Group C, with South Africa hoping to maintain their lead.
Egypt vs Sierra Leone_: A reality check for new Leone Stars coach Mohamed Kallon, who must devise a plan to shackle Mohamed Salah.
Cameroon vs Libya: Cameroon will be looking to bounce back from a disappointing 0-0 draw against Eswatini.
Kenya vs Gabon: A must-win match for Kenya, who are trailing leaders Ivory Coast by seven points.
Madagascar vs Ghana: Madagascar will be looking to cause an upset against group leaders Ghana.
These matches will be crucial in determining the fate of these teams in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.