Egypt’s Mohamed Salah silenced critics in spectacular fashion, netting twice as the Pharaohs stormed into the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a commanding 3–0 win over Djibouti, sealing qualification with a game to spare.
Needing just one victory from their final two fixtures to top Group A, Hossam Hassan’s men made no mistake in neutral Casablanca.
The breakthrough came early when Ibrahim Adel headed home Zizo’s cross in the eighth minute, before Salah latched onto Trezeguet’s perfect through ball to make it 2–0 just six minutes later.
Despite his recent scrutiny at Liverpool, Salah was relentless — curling narrowly over the bar and nearly setting up a third before halftime, when Mostafa Mohamed’s flick rattled the post.
In the closing stages, Salah struck again, lifting a sublime lob past the Djibouti keeper to seal the win in style.
The result makes Egypt the third African nation to book their spot at the expanded 48-team World Cup, joining Morocco and Tunisia.
It’s another milestone for a side with a record seven Africa Cup of Nations titles, though World Cup success has long eluded them — their previous appearances came in 1934, 1990, and 2018.
Burkina Faso, who beat Sierra Leone 1–0 through Mohamed Zougrana’s strike, will finish second in Group A and hope to advance via the continental play-offs.
Elsewhere, Cape Verde squandered their first chance to reach a maiden finals after a 3–3 draw with Libya, while Niger and Zambia stayed mathematically alive after wins over Congo-Brazzaville and Tanzania, respectively.
Algeria could become Africa’s next confirmed qualifier with victory against Somalia in Group G on Thursday.
Ayew Stars in Ghana’s 5–0 Rout
In Accra, Ghana are on the verge of qualification after a sensational 5–0 demolition of Central African Republic, driven by a brilliant all-round display from Jordan Ayew.
The Black Stars took control through Mohammed Salisu’s header from a Mohammed Kudus corner, before Ayew turned creator, setting up second-half goals for Thomas Partey and Alexander Djiku.
Ayew then capped his night with a stunning first-time volley into the bottom corner to make it 4–0, while Kamaldeen Sulemana added the fifth.
The emphatic victory keeps Ghana three points clear atop Group I — needing only a draw in their final match against Comoros to confirm qualification.
Meanwhile, Madagascar kept their faint World Cup hopes alive with a dramatic 2–1 victory over Comoros in Ivory Coast, despite torrential rain.
Goals from Clement Couturier and El Hadary Raheriniaina gave the Malagasy control, while Comoros pulled one back late through Rafiki Said before chaotic scenes saw goalkeeper Salim Ben Boina sent off in stoppage time for a handball near midfield.
The Road Ahead
Ghana face Comoros and Madagascar travel to Mali in Sunday’s decisive fixtures (19:00 GMT).
A single point will send Ghana to the World Cup, while Madagascar must win and overturn an eight-goal deficit — a near-impossible task — to deny the Black Stars their place among Africa’s elite in 2026.
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