2026 FIFA World Cup qualification – CAF Group C

The 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification – CAF Group C is a CAF qualifying group for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The group contains Nigeria, South Africa, Benin, Zimbabwe, Rwanda and Lesotho.

The group winner will directly qualify for the World Cup, and the runner-up could potentially compete in the second round to advance to the inter-confederation play-offs.{{cite news |date=19 May 2023 |title=CAF Executive Committee approves FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers calendar and announces TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations Côte d'Ivoire 2023 Final Draw date |url=https://www.cafonline.com/press-release/news/caf-executive-committee-approves-fifa-world-cup-2026-qualifiers-calendar-and-ann |access-date=15 July 2023 |website=CAF Online |publisher=CAF}}{{cite news |date=19 May 2023 |title=CAF reveals new format for 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers |url=https://www.cafonline.com/news-center/news/caf-reveals-new-format-for-2026-fifa-world-cup-qualifiers |access-date=15 July 2023 |website=CAF Online |publisher=CAF}}

Standings

{{2026 FIFA World Cup qualification - CAF group tables|Group C|show_matches=y}}

Matches

{{Football box

|id = RWA v ZIM

|date = {{Start date|2023|11|15|df=y}}

|time = {{UTZ|15:00|2}}

|team1 = {{fb-rt|RWA}}

|score = 0–0

|team2 = {{fb|ZIM}}

|goals1 =

|goals2 =

|stadium = Stade Huye, Butare

|attendance = 7,500

|referee = Mohamed Ali Moussa (Niger)

|report = [https://www.fifa.com/fifaplus/en/match-centre/match/520/288282/288289/400017591 Report (FIFA)]
[https://www.cafonline.com/fifa-world-cup/match-centre?competition=340&season=112026&match=2407455 Report (CAF)]

}}

{{Football box

|id = NGA v LES

|date = {{Start date|2023|11|16|df=y}}

|time = {{UTZ|17:00|1}}

|team1 = {{fb-rt|NGA}}

|score = 1–1

|team2 = {{fb|LES}}

|goals1 =

Ajayi {{goal|67}}

|goals2 =

Mkwanazi {{goal|56}}

|stadium = Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo

|attendance =

|referee = Mehrez Malki (Tunisia)

|report = [https://www.fifa.com/fifaplus/en/match-centre/match/520/288282/288289/400017589 Report (FIFA)]
[https://www.cafonline.com/fifa-world-cup/match-centre?competition=340&season=112026&match=2407454 Report (CAF)]

}}

{{Football box

|id = RSA v BEN

|date = {{Start date|2023|11|18|df=y}}

|time = {{UTZ|15:00|2}}

|team1 = {{fb-rt|RSA}}

|score = 2–1

|team2 = {{fb|BEN}}

|goals1 =

Tau {{goal|2}}
Mudau {{goal|45+2}}

|goals2 =

Mounié {{goal|70}}

|stadium = Moses Mabhida Stadium, Durban

|attendance =

|referee = Mahmood Ismail (Sudan)

|report = [https://www.fifa.com/fifaplus/en/match-centre/match/520/288282/288289/400017588 Report (FIFA)]
[https://www.cafonline.com/fifa-world-cup/match-centre?competition=340&season=112026&match=2407453 Report (CAF)]

}}

----

{{Football box

|id = ZIM v NGA

|date = {{Start date|2023|11|19|df=y}}

|time = {{UTZ|15:00|2}}

|team1 = {{fb-rt|ZIM}}

|score = 1–1

|team2 = {{fb|NGA}}

|goals1 =

Musona {{goal|26}}

|goals2 =

Iheanacho {{goal|67}}

|stadium = Stade Huye, Butare (Rwanda)

|attendance = 2,876

|referee = Souleiman Ahmed Djama (Djibouti)

|report = [https://www.fifa.com/fifaplus/en/match-centre/match/520/288282/288289/400017592 Report (FIFA)]
[https://www.cafonline.com/fifa-world-cup/match-centre?competition=340&season=112026&match=2407457 Report (CAF)]

}}

{{Football box

|id = LES v BEN

|date = {{Start date|2023|11|21|df=y}}

|time = {{UTZ|15:00|2}}

|team1 = {{fb-rt|LES}}

|score = 0–0

|team2 = {{fb|BEN}}

|goals1 =

|goals2 =

|stadium = Moses Mabhida Stadium, Durban (South Africa)

|attendance = 1,000

|referee = Tsegay Mogos Teklu (Eritrea)

|report = [https://www.fifa.com/fifaplus/en/match-centre/match/520/288282/288289/400017593 Report (FIFA)]
[https://www.cafonline.com/fifa-world-cup/match-centre?competition=340&season=112026&match=2407456 Report (CAF)]

}}

{{Football box

|id = RWA v RSA

|date = {{Start date|2023|11|21|df=y}}

|time = {{UTZ|15:00|2}}

|team1 = {{fb-rt|RWA}}

|score = 2–0

|team2 = {{fb|RSA}}

|goals1 =

Nshuti {{goal|12}}
Mugisha {{goal|28}}

|goals2 =

|stadium = Stade Huye, Butare

|attendance =

|referee = Amin Omar (Egypt)

|report = [https://www.fifa.com/fifaplus/en/match-centre/match/520/288282/288289/400017590 Report (FIFA)]
[https://www.cafonline.com/fifa-world-cup/match-centre?competition=340&season=112026&match=2407458 Report (CAF)]

}}

----

{{Football box

|id = BEN v RWA

|date = {{Start date|2024|6|6|df=y}}

|time = {{UTZ|19:00|0}}

|team1 = {{fb-rt|BEN}}

|score = 1–0

|team2 = {{fb|RWA}}

|goals1 =

Dokou {{goal|37}}

|goals2 =

|stadium = Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium, Abidjan (Ivory Coast)

|attendance = 3,600

|referee = Dahane Beida (Mauritania)

|report = [https://www.fifa.com/fifaplus/en/match-centre/match/520/288282/288289/400018178 Report (FIFA)]
[https://www.cafonline.com/fifa-world-cup/match-centre?competition=340&season=112026&match=2407460 Report (CAF)]

}}

{{Football box

|id = ZIM v LES

|date = {{Start date|2024|6|7|df=y}}

|time = {{UTZ|15:00|2}}

|team1 = {{fb-rt|ZIM}}

|score = 0–2

|team2 = {{fb|LES}}

|goals1 =

|goals2 =

Rasethuntša {{goal|21}}
Thabantso {{goal|31}}

|stadium = Orlando Stadium, Johannesburg (South Africa)

|attendance =

|referee = Thulani Sibandze (Eswatini)

|report = [https://www.fifa.com/fifaplus/en/match-centre/match/520/288282/288289/400018176 Report (FIFA)]
[https://www.cafonline.com/fifa-world-cup/match-centre?competition=340&season=112026&match=2407459 Report (CAF)]

}}

{{Football box

|id = NGA v RSA

|date = {{Start date|2024|6|7|df=y}}

|time = {{UTZ|20:00|1}}

|team1 = {{fb-rt|NGA}}

|score = 1–1

|team2 = {{fb|RSA}}

|goals1 =

Dele-Bashiru {{goal|46}}

|goals2 =

Zwane {{goal|29}}

|stadium = Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo

|attendance =

|referee = Alhadi Allaou Mahamat (Chad)

|report = [https://www.fifa.com/fifaplus/en/match-centre/match/520/288282/288289/400018175 Report (FIFA)]
[https://www.cafonline.com/fifa-world-cup/match-centre?competition=340&season=112026&match=2407461 Report (CAF)]

}}

----

{{Football box

|id = BEN v NGA

|date = {{Start date|2024|6|10|df=y}}

|time = {{UTZ|16:00|0}}

|team1 = {{fb-rt|BEN}}

|score = 2–1

|team2 = {{fb|NGA}}

|goals1 =

J. Dossou {{goal|37}}
Mounié {{goal|45+3}}

|goals2 =

Onyedika {{goal|27}}

|stadium = Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium, Abidjan (Ivory Coast)

|attendance = 9,000

|referee = Pierre Atcho (Gabon)

|report = [https://www.fifa.com/fifaplus/en/match-centre/match/520/288282/288289/400018177 Report (FIFA)]
[https://www.cafonline.com/fifa-world-cup/match-centre?competition=340&season=112026&match=2407463 Report (CAF)]

}}

{{Football box

|id = RSA v ZIM

|date = {{Start date|2024|6|11|df=y}}

|time = {{UTZ|18:00|2}}

|team1 = {{fb-rt|RSA}}

|score = 3–1

|team2 = {{fb|ZIM}}

|goals1 =

Rayners {{goal|1}}
Morena {{goal|55||76}}

|goals2 =

Chirewa {{goal|2}}

|stadium = Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein

|attendance =

|referee = Mohamed Maarouf Eid Mansour (Egypt)

|report = [https://www.fifa.com/fifaplus/en/match-centre/match/520/288282/288289/400018179 Report (FIFA)]
[https://www.cafonline.com/fifa-world-cup/match-centre?competition=340&season=112026&match=2407462 Report (CAF)]

}}

{{Football box

|id = LES v RWA

|date = {{Start date|2024|6|11|df=y}}

|time = {{UTZ|18:00|2}}

|team1 = {{fb-rt|LES}}

|score = 0–1

|team2 = {{fb|RWA}}

|goals1 =

|goals2 =

Kwizera {{goal|67}}

|stadium = Moses Mabhida Stadium, Durban (South Africa)

|attendance = 2,000

|referee = Aklesso Gnama (Togo)

|report = [https://www.fifa.com/fifaplus/en/match-centre/match/520/288282/288289/400018174 Report (FIFA)]
[https://www.cafonline.com/fifa-world-cup/match-centre?competition=340&season=112026&match=2407464 Report (CAF)]

}}

----

{{Football box

|id = ZIM v BEN

|date = {{Start date|2025|3|20|df=y}}

|time = {{UTZ|18:00|2}}

|team1 = {{fb-rt|ZIM}}

|score = 2–2

|team2 = {{fb|BEN}}

|goals1 =

Munetsi {{goal|44}}
Musona {{goal|59}}

|goals2 =

Mounié {{goal|12}}
Dokou {{goal|35}}

|stadium = Moses Mabhida Stadium, Durban (South Africa)

|attendance = 5,000

|referee = Bamlak Tessema Weyesa (Ethiopia)

|report = [https://www.fifa.com/en/match-centre/match/520/288282/288289/400019679 Report (FIFA)]
[https://www.cafonline.com/fifa-world-cup/match-centre?competition=340&season=112026&match=2407466 Report (CAF)]

}}

{{Football box

|id = RSA v LES

|date = {{Start date|2025|3|21|df=y}}

|time = {{UTZ|18:00|2}}

|team1 = {{fb-rt|RSA}}

|score = 2–0

|team2 = {{fb|LES}}

|goals1 =

Mofokeng {{goal|60}}
Adams {{goal|64}}

|goals2 =

|stadium = Peter Mokaba Stadium, Polokwane

|attendance = 25,000

|referee = Mohamed Diraneh Guedi (Djibouti)

|report = [https://www.fifa.com/en/match-centre/match/520/288282/288289/400019682 Report (FIFA)]
[https://www.cafonline.com/fifa-world-cup/match-centre?competition=340&season=112026&match=2407465 Report (CAF)]

}}

{{Football box

|id = RWA v NGA

|date = {{Start date|2025|3|21|df=y}}

|time = {{UTZ|18:00|2}}

|team1 = {{fb-rt|RWA}}

|score = 0–2

|team2 = {{fb|NGA}}

|goals1 =

|goals2 =

Osimhen {{goal|11||45+3}}

|stadium = Amahoro Stadium, Kigali

|attendance =

|referee = Jalal Jayed (Morocco)

|report = [https://www.fifa.com/en/match-centre/match/520/288282/288289/400019684 Report (FIFA)]
[https://www.cafonline.com/fifa-world-cup/match-centre?competition=340&season=112026&match=2407467 Report (CAF)]

}}

----

{{Football box

|id = BEN v RSA

|date = {{Start date|2025|3|25|df=y}}

|time = {{UTZ|16:00|0}}

|team1 = {{fb-rt|BEN}}

|score = 0–2

|team2 = {{fb|RSA}}

|goals1 =

|goals2 =

Foster {{goal|53}}
Adams {{goal|84}}

|stadium = Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium, Abidjan (Ivory Coast)

|attendance = 786

|referee = Dahane Beida (Mauritania)

|report = [https://www.fifa.com/en/match-centre/match/520/288282/288289/400019681 Report (FIFA)]
[https://www.cafonline.com/fifa-world-cup/match-centre?competition=340&season=112026&match=2407468 Report (CAF)]

}}

{{Football box

|id = NGA v ZIM

|date = {{Start date|2025|3|25|df=y}}

|time = {{UTZ|17:00|1}}

|team1 = {{fb-rt|NGA}}

|score = 1–1

|team2 = {{fb|ZIM}}

|goals1 =

Osimhen {{goal|74}}

|goals2 =

Chirewa {{goal|90}}

|stadium = Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo

|attendance =

|referee = Tsegay Mogos Teklu (Eritrea)

|report = [https://www.fifa.com/en/match-centre/match/520/288282/288289/400019680 Report (FIFA)]
[https://www.cafonline.com/fifa-world-cup/match-centre?competition=340&season=112026&match=2407469 Report (CAF)]

}}

{{Football box

|id = RWA v LES

|date = {{Start date|2025|3|25|df=y}}

|time = {{UTZ|18:00|2}}

|team1 = {{fb-rt|RWA}}

|score = 1–1

|team2 = {{fb|LES}}

|goals1 =

Kwizera {{goal|58}}

|goals2 =

Fothoane {{goal|82}}

|stadium = Amahoro Stadium, Kigali

|attendance = 43,000

|referee = Antoine Effa (Cameroon)

|report = [https://www.fifa.com/en/match-centre/match/520/288282/288289/400019683 Report (FIFA)]
[https://www.cafonline.com/fifa-world-cup/match-centre?competition=340&season=112026&match=2407470 Report (CAF)]

}}

----

{{Football box

|id = BEN v ZIM

|date = {{Start date|2025|9||df=y}}

|time =

|team1 = {{fb-rt|BEN}}

|score =

|team2 = {{fb|ZIM}}

|goals1 =

|goals2 =

|stadium =

|attendance =

|referee =

|report =

}}

{{Football box

|id = LES v RSA

|date = {{Start date|2025|9||df=y}}

|time =

|team1 = {{fb-rt|LES}}

|score =

|team2 = {{fb|RSA}}

|goals1 =

|goals2 =

|stadium =

|attendance =

|referee =

|report =

}}

{{Football box

|id = NGA v RWA

|date = {{Start date|2025|9||df=y}}

|time =

|team1 = {{fb-rt|NGA}}

|score =

|team2 = {{fb|RWA}}

|goals1 =

|goals2 =

|stadium =

|attendance =

|referee =

|report =

}}

----

{{Football box

|id = RSA v NGA

|date = {{Start date|2025|9||df=y}}

|time =

|team1 = {{fb-rt|RSA}}

|score =

|team2 = {{fb|NGA}}

|goals1 =

|goals2 =

|stadium =

|attendance =

|referee =

|report =

}}

{{Football box

|id = BEN v LES

|date = {{Start date|2025|9||df=y}}

|time =

|team1 = {{fb-rt|BEN}}

|score =

|team2 = {{fb|LES}}

|goals1 =

|goals2 =

|stadium =

|attendance =

|referee =

|report =

}}

{{Football box

|id = ZIM v RWA

|date = {{Start date|2025|9||df=y}}

|time =

|team1 = {{fb-rt|ZIM}}

|score =

|team2 = {{fb|RWA}}

|goals1 =

|goals2 =

|stadium =

|attendance =

|referee =

|report =

}}

----

{{Football box

|id = LES v NGA

|date = {{Start date|2025|10||df=y}}

|time =

|team1 = {{fb-rt|LES}}

|score =

|team2 = {{fb|NGA}}

|goals1 =

|goals2 =

|stadium =

|attendance =

|referee =

|report =

}}

{{Football box

|id = ZIM v RSA

|date = {{Start date|2025|10||df=y}}

|time =

|team1 = {{fb-rt|ZIM}}

|score =

|team2 = {{fb|RSA}}

|goals1 =

|goals2 =

|stadium =

|attendance =

|referee =

|report =

}}

{{Football box

|id = RWA v BEN

|date = {{Start date|2025|10||df=y}}

|time =

|team1 = {{fb-rt|RWA}}

|score =

|team2 = {{fb|BEN}}

|goals1 =

|goals2 =

|stadium =

|attendance =

|referee =

|report =

}}

----

{{Football box

|id = RSA v RWA

|date = {{Start date|2025|10||df=y}}

|time =

|team1 = {{fb-rt|RSA}}

|score =

|team2 = {{fb|RWA}}

|goals1 =

|goals2 =

|stadium =

|attendance =

|referee =

|report =

}}

{{Football box

|id = LES v ZIM

|date = {{Start date|2025|10||df=y}}

|time =

|team1 = {{fb-rt|LES}}

|score =

|team2 = {{fb|ZIM}}

|goals1 =

|goals2 =

|stadium =

|attendance =

|referee =

|report =

}}

{{Football box

|id = NGA v BEN

|date = {{Start date|2025|10||df=y}}

|time =

|team1 = {{fb-rt|NGA}}

|score =

|team2 = {{fb|BEN}}

|goals1 =

|goals2 =

|stadium =

|attendance =

|referee =

|report =

}}

Goalscorers

{{#invoke:Goalscorers|main|2026 FIFA World Cup qualification (CAF)|round=group|group=C|bold=no}}

References

Category:2026 FIFA World Cup qualification (CAF)

Category:Long stubs with short prose