Official: CAF confirms date, time and venue as Nigeria battle Gabon in World Cup playoff

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has confirmed that Nigeria will face Gabon in the opening match of the FIFA World Cup 2026 African Inter-Continental Play-off on Thursday, 13 November 2025, in Rabat, Morocco, Footynaija.com reports.

The mini-tournament, to be staged from 13–16 November, will feature Nigeria, Gabon, Cameroon, and DR Congo, with the winner advancing to the Inter-Continental Play-offs in March 2026; Africa’s final chance to secure a 10th World Cup slot.

The last African slot to the FIFA World Cup 2026 will be decided this November from 13-16 in Rabat, Morocco .

Nigeria vs Gabon
Cameroon vs DR Congo

The winner will advance to the FIFA Playoff Inter-Continental Tournament in March 2026 for a chance to the World… pic.twitter.com/qypt1ZeBy1

— Usher Komugisha (@UsherKomugisha) October 29, 2025

The Super Eagles, who finished second to South Africa in Group C, will kick off their campaign at 17:00 local time (16:00 GMT). Their opponents, Gabon, finished a point behind Ivory Coast in Group F and are chasing their first-ever World Cup appearance.

The fixture will be the 10th meeting between the two nations. Nigeria have won five of their previous nine clashes, drawing three and losing once, a 2-1 defeat in a 1989 World Cup qualifier.

UP NEXT: Nigeria vs. Gabon

Nigeria will face Gabon in the next round of the World Cup qualification (Playoffs) pic.twitter.com/cPZR3ZsBXn

— Leagues Reporter (@LeaguesReporter) October 14, 2025

The second semi-final, featuring Cameroon and DR Congo, will follow at 20:00 local time, while the final will take place on Sunday, 16 November 2025, at Prince Héritier Moulay El Hassan Stadium.

Only one team will move closer to North America 2026.