Angola coach Pedro Goncalves reacts to Africa’s new format for World Cup 2026 qualifiers

The head coach for Angola, Pedro Goncalves has reacted to the new format for World Cup 2026 qualifiers.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) announced a new format for the qualifiers of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, following the decision by FIFA to increase Africa’s quota from five to nine direct tickets.

The 54 member nations of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) will be divided into nine groups of six for the 2026 World Cup qualifying competition, the organisation said on Friday.

Each group winner secures a place at the first finals featuring 48 teams, which will be hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico. The 2022 World Cup in Qatar involved 32 countries.

The four best group runners-up go into play-offs with the winners progressing to an inter-confederation tournament with two World Cup places up for grabs.

A statement released after a CAF executive committee meeting in Algeria said the qualifying draw will be made in the Benin city of Cotonou on July 12.

The first two of 10 matchdays are scheduled for November 13-21 this year, followed by two each from June 3-11 next year and March 17-25, September 1-9 and October 6-14 in 2025.

Whiles reacting to the new format, Coach Goncalves said: “I always support the best and the better ones qualifying for the World Cup.

If we have nine [9] groups of six countries in a total of 54 I think the better ones will qualify and I support that if they go through to the World Cup because the idea is to get the best in Africa to represent the continent in the final phase so I think is a good solution,” the trainer told Ghanaian outlet, Ghanasportspage.com.