In a circular dated March 14, 2025 and signed by CAF Director of Tournaments and Events, Samson Adamu, the continental body detailed revised procedures to ensure fairness in determining the four best runners-up in all groups after Eritrea’s exit reduced the number of teams in one of the qualifying groups.
CAF stated that, in the event of any withdrawal or disqualification that leaves a group with less than five teams, the results against the lowest ranked or withdrawn teams will not be taken into account when comparing the second placed teams in all groups.
The adjustment is aligned with Article 11.5 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup preliminary competition regulations and ensures uniformity in the selection of the four best runners-up who will compete in a centralized continental playoff for a possible place in the World Cup through the intercontinental playoff.
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