Both CAF and AFC completed the first matches of their final play-in tournaments for the FIFA Intercontinental Playoffs for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. In Asia, Iraq and the UAE will settle their two-leg tie with one match remaining, while in Africa a star-studded Nigeria side will face underdogs DR Congo for a coveted playoff berth. Everything will be decided this weekend.
Early Goals Define UAE vs Iraq First Leg
Two first-half goals told the story in the AFC fifth-stage qualification matchup. Playing at home, the UAE conceded early. Twenty-three-year-old Ali Al-Hamadi wrote his name into Iraqi football history. The Ipswich Town striker, currently on loan at Luton Town, was an attacking menace throughout the match. Al-Hamadi pounced on a flicked pass in front of goal to give Iraq a 1–0 lead.
The first Premier League player in Iraqi football history, Al-Hamadi was Iraq’s standout performer on the afternoon.
Luan Pereira, one of several naturalized players in the UAE squad, responded minutes later. His excellent header leveled the match at 1–1 and ignited the home crowd. Iraq kept the pressure on through the remainder of the first half, forcing UAE keeper Khalid Eisa into several sharp saves.
The second half belonged largely to the UAE as Iraq faded. The hosts nearly scored a dramatic winner deep into stoppage time, but VAR ruled the goal offside following a free kick.
With the decisive second leg set for November 18th in Basra, Iraq will enter as at least a slight favorite to secure the AFC spot in the inter-continental playoffs for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Extra-Time Flurry Sends Nigeria Into CAF Qualification Final
The 4–1 scoreline was emphatic, but three of Nigeria’s goals came in extra time after Gabon pushed the Super Eagles to the edge of elimination. Nigeria controlled long stretches of the match yet failed to score in the first half. Sevilla’s Akor Adams finally broke the deadlock in the 78th minute, seemingly putting Nigeria on the brink of the final—until Mario Lemina’s deflected strike for Gabon dramatically leveled the match. Minutes earlier, Gabon had also been denied a penalty shout.
Extra time began with momentum seemingly favoring Gabon, but they lacked the depth and legs to maintain their intensity. Victor Osimhen, who had missed a golden chance to win the match late in regulation, continued to threaten and eventually helped break Gabon’s resistance. Nigeria capitalized on their fatigue, scoring three times in extra time to secure a place in the final against DR Congo on the 18th.
While Nigeria’s squad continues a long-running dispute with their federation over pay and conditions, DR Congo secured their spot in the final thanks to a late winner from long-serving captain Chancel Mbemba, off a header. Cameroon struggled to impose any coherent style of play and the knockout match unfolded cautiously, with both teams relying heavily on hopeful long balls. Congo, however, appeared the more dangerous side in the second half and finally broke through on a set piece.
Small crowds at both CAF semifinals further diminished the atmosphere, leaving both matches feeling more subdued than decisive World Cup qualifiers typically do.
Final World Cup Qualifying Games from CAF and AFC
AFC: UAE at Iraq (1–1 on aggregate) — 11/18/25
CAF: DR Congo vs Nigeria — 11/16/25
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