African teams gear up for 2026 World Cup qualifiers with high profile international friendlies
Several African heavyweights will be gearing up for the looming start of qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup when they participate in high-profile international friendlies spanning from Thursday 12 to Wednesday 18 October.
First up is Egypt, who will face Zambia at the Hazza bin Zayed Stadium in the UAE on Thursday evening. Pharaohs coach Rui Vitoria is using this match against Chipolopolo, and one against arch rivals Algeria on Monday, to fine tune ahead of the World Cup qualifiers and Africa Cup of Nations in early 2024.
Thursday also sees Russia host Cameroon, as well as Algeria tackling Cape Verde, while Friday features Tunisia playing in Seoul against South Korea, South Africa hosting Eswatini in Johannesburg and Saudi Arabia facing Nigeria’s Super Eagles at the Municipal Stadium in Portimao, Portugal.
Nigeria coach Jose Peseiro showed his commitment by accepting a pay cut on his new contract with the federation, insisting that “me and my staff did everything in order to stay here to train these players and reach the big goal, win the Afcon title.”
Saturday and Sunday are headlined by Ivory Coast hosting Morocco in Abidjan, while Ghana will face Mexico in Charlotte in the United States – with Black Stars coach Chris Hughton dropping Andre Ayew and then dealing with an injury crisis which saw Tariq Lamptey, Daniel Amartey, Alexander Djiku, and Osman Bukari all forced to withdraw. Ghana will also play the US in a second friendly on the morning of Wednesday 18 October.
Monday features a high-profile clash between reigning African champions Senegal and Cameroon in Lens, France. The Teranga Lions have seen several of their key players head to Saudi Arabia to play club football, but centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly insists that this will not affect the national team.
Tuesday sees Tunisia face Japan in Kobe, Mali will tackle Saudi Arabia in Portugal, and South Africa will test their readiness for a return to the Africa Cup of Nations next year when they face tournament hosts Ivory Coast at the Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium in Abidjan.
Selected African international friendlies
Thursday 12 October
Egypt v Zambia
Russia v Cameroon
Algeria v Cape Verde
Friday 13 October
Korea Republic v Tunisia
South Africa v Eswatini
Saudi Arabia v Nigeria
Saturday 14 October
Ivory Coast v Morocco
Sunday 15 October
Mexico v Ghana
Monday 16 October
Mozambique v Nigeria
Algeria v Egypt
Senegal v Cameroon
Tuesday 17 October
Japan v Tunisia
Saudi Arabia v Mali
Ivory Coast v South Africa
Wednesday 18 October
USA v Ghana
