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World Cup Qualification CAF Overview

Lewa, Donnarumma & 11 stars at risk of missing the World Cup

The final international window before the end of the 2025-26 club season is here. For most of the globe's traditional powerhouses, this month is about finetuning ahead of the World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada. But not every team has the luxury of such forward planning, with several big-hitters still yet to punch their ticket to the tournament.

World Cup 2026 draw: Everything you need to know

The latest information on the World Cup 2026 draw, including the date, what to expect in terms of teams and pots, and how to watch.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup Countdown Clock Is Unveiled In Mexico City

FIFA Play-Off Tournament: Everything you need to know

FIFA Play-Off Tournament — how it works, who qualifies, seeding, format, schedule and other key points you should know.

World Cup trophy Christian Pulisic Edson Alvarez

World Cup 2026: Full list of qualified teams

GOAL breaks down all the confirmed qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup, plus the teams who could soon be on their way.

Nigeria head coach accuses DR Congo staff of 'doing voodoo'

Nigeria manager Eric Chelle has accused rivals on DR Congo’s coaching staff of “doing voodoo” during a fiery penalty shootout that ended the Super Eagles’ hopes of reaching the 2026 World Cup. With emotions running high towards the end of an encounter that finished 1-1 after extra-time, Chelle has insinuated that Congo turned to dark arts in order to prevail.

📽️ | Mbeumo devastated after Cameroon's World Cup dream ends

Bryan Mbeumo cut a heartbroken figure after Cameroon's World Cup hopes collapsed in dramatic fashion, with the Manchester United star storming off alone after a stoppage-time defeat to DR Congo. The Indomitable Lions suffered a crushing 1-0 loss in the CAF play-offs, ending their bid to reach the 2026 tournament and leaving their talisman visibly emotional in the rain.

Pos	Team	P	W	D	L	F	A	+/-	PTS	Form
1	Arsenal	8	8	0	0	23	4	19	24	W W W W W
2	Bayern Munich	8	7	0	1	22	8	14	21	W W W L W
3	Liverpool	8	6	0	2	20	8	12	18	W W W L W
4	Tottenham	8	5	2	1	17	7	10	17	W W W L W
5	Barcelona	8	5	1	2	22	14	8	16	W W W L D

Pos

Team

+/-

PTS

Form

Arsenal

W
W
W
W
W

Bayern Munich

W
W
W
L
W

Liverpool

W
W
W
L
W

Tottenham

W
W
W
L
W

Barcelona

W
W
W
L
D

Frequently asked questions

Who has won the most Champions League titles?

Current title holders Real Madrid are miles ahead of any other club in Europe's most prestigious competition, having gone all the way whopping 15 times – more than twice the number of titles lifted by any other club.

How many teams are in the Champions League?

The newest format, introduced ahead of the 2024-25 season, features 36 teams, four more than in the previous format. The competition was known as the European Cup at the time of its inception in 1955 before being rebranded to the UEFA Champions League ahead of the 1992-93 season. In its inaugural edition in 1955-56, only 16 teams contested.

Who has made the most Champions League appearances ever?

Cristiano Ronaldo sits at the top of the appearance-making charts, having played in 183 Champions League games, representing Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus.

Who is the all-time top scorer of the Champions League?

No surprises here! It's Mr. Champions League, Cristiano Ronaldo, who is the leading goalscorer in the Champions League with an astonishing 141 goals to his name!

Who has the most assists in the history of the Champions League?

Cristiano Ronaldo is not just a prolific goalscorer, but also has a keen eye for his team-mates as his record 42 assists in the Champions League prove.

Who is the oldest player ever in the Champions League and how old was he?

Former Italian goalkeeper Marco Ballotta holds the distinction of being the oldest player ever in the Champions League. Playing for Lazio against Real Madrid in the 2007-08 season, Ballotta was aged 43 years and 252 days.

Who is the youngest player ever in the Champions League and how old was he?

Borussia Dortmund prodigy Youssoufa Moukoko is the youngest player ever to feature in a Champions League game. He set the record on December 8 2020, in Dortmund's group stage fixture against Zenit St. Petersburg, aged 16 years and 18 days.

Which famous players have played in the Champions League?

Gianluigi Buffon, Raul, Robert Lewandowski, Ronaldinho, Clarence Seedorf, Arjen Robben, Cristiano Ronaldo, Sergio Ramos, Toni Kroos, Zinedine Zidane, Paolo Maldini, Lionel Messi, and Mo Salah, to name a few, are some of the greatest and most famous footballing faces to have graced the Champions League over the decades.

Which famous managers have managed in the Champions League?

Pep Guardiola, Jose Mourinho, Jurgen Klopp, Carlo Ancelotti, Rafael Benitez, Frank Rijkaard, Unai Emery, Thomas Tuchel, Zinedine Zidane, Sir Alex Ferguson, and Arsene Wenger are some of the most famous managers to have coached a club in the Champions League.