Sports

2026 World Cup: CAF confirms Morocco as host for African playoffs

Published

11 months ago

October 14, 2025

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The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has confirmed Morocco as the host nation for the African playoff tournament that will decide the continent’s final qualifier for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

In an official circular released on Monday, CAF announced that the North African country is already preparing to host the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), but will also stage the four-team playoff in November 2025.

According to the schedule, the semi-final matches of the mini-tournament will take place on November 13, 2025, while the final will be played on November 16, 2025. The competition will feature the four best runners-up from the nine African qualifying groups, determined after Matchday 10 of the qualifiers.

CAF stated that in the event of a draw, matches will proceed to extra time and, if necessary, to penalty shootouts. Teams will be permitted five substitutions, with an additional one allowed during extra time.

The October 2025 FIFA World Rankings, to be released on October 23, will determine the seeding for the playoff draw. The highest-ranked team will face the fourth-ranked side in one semi-final, while the second and third-ranked teams will clash in the other.

The eventual winner of the Moroccan playoff will represent Africa in the intercontinental playoff slated for March 2026, where they will battle representatives from Asia, South America, Oceania, and CONCACAF for the continent’s 10th and final World Cup slot.

Meanwhile, CAF President Patrice Motsepe has reiterated his confidence that the 2025 AFCON will proceed as planned in Morocco, despite ongoing protests in the country. For nine consecutive nights, young Moroccans have taken to the streets demanding reforms in governance, social services, and education, as well as an end to corruption and inequality.

The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations is scheduled to hold in Morocco from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026, across nine venues, featuring 24 national teams competing for the continent’s most prestigious football title.

Sports

EPL: Shearer Warns Arsenal After Brighton Humbling

Published

3 hours ago

September 20, 2026

Austin Ojomah

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Former Newcastle United striker Alan Shearer has warned Arsenal that they cannot afford to repeat the poor performance that saw them suffer a 3-0 defeat to Brighton and Hove Albion in the Premier League on Saturday.

The defeat at the Amex Stadium ended Arsenal’s perfect start to the campaign and raised questions over their consistency in the early stages of the season.

Pascal Gross opened the scoring for Brighton before Charalampos Kostoulas doubled the hosts’ advantage in the first half.

Chema Andrés completed the rout in the 57th minute, heading Brighton’s third goal to condemn Arsenal to a heavy defeat.

The result dropped Arsenal to second place in the Premier League table, with Manchester City having the opportunity to move ahead when they host Sunderland on Sunday.

Speaking on Match of the Day, Shearer said Arsenal’s position remained positive despite the defeat but stressed that performances of such a poor standard could not become a regular occurrence.

“I would say there’s no panic because after five games last season, Arsenal had 10 points,” Shearer said.

“After five games this season, they’ve got 12 points.

“But that performance can’t happen too many times, if again.”

Sports

Brighton Humbling Is ‘Big Lesson’ for Arsenal, Arteta Warns After First Defeat

Published

5 hours ago

September 20, 2026

EMMANUEL AGAJI

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Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has described the club’s 3-0 defeat to Brighton as a “big lesson”, warning his players that complacency could prove costly in the Premier League title race.

The Gunners suffered their first defeat of the season on Saturday at the American Express Stadium, with Brighton producing a dominant display to hand the defending champions a heavy setback.

Brighton took control from the opening stages and repeatedly exposed gaps in Arsenal’s usually disciplined defence.

Pascal Gross and Charalampos Kostoulas struck before half-time, while Chema Andres headed in Brighton’s third early in the second half to complete a convincing victory.

The defeat was Arsenal’s heaviest by more than two goals in more than three years.

Reacting after the match, Arteta admitted that Brighton deserved the victory and criticised his side’s failure to meet the basic demands of Premier League football.

“Extremely disappointed. First of all, I think we have to congratulate Brighton for the victory; I think they deserve it,” Arteta said.

“I think they were the better team. From our side, there were certain basics that you need to accomplish in football, especially in the Premier League, that we were very far from.”

The setback comes after Arsenal made a perfect start to the campaign, winning their opening seven matches in all competitions and raising expectations that they could retain the Premier League title.

However, Arteta said the defeat had provided a timely reminder of the demands of a long season, particularly with a three-week international break now giving his squad time to reflect.

“It’s a big lesson for us,” the Spanish coach added.

“That’s not going to take away what the team has done, and the boys have done in the last six or seven weeks since coming back from the World Cup.

“With 18 players coming back, what we’ve done and the way we’ve competed and the amount of games we’ve won has been remarkable.

“But this is a big lesson for all of us to understand what it takes to win at this level.”

Arteta will now look to use the international break to regroup his squad before Arsenal resume their campaign, with the Brighton defeat serving as their first major setback of the season.