World Football governing body, FIFA has ratified the expansion of countries from Africa that will take part in the World Cup of 48 countries.
With the ratification, Africa now has nine slots in the new World Cup format.
The expansion was deliberated and agreed upon after the Council’s meeting in Bahrain. Africa may even have up to 10 teams that will compete at the 2026 World Cup after the allocation.
The continent is guaranteed nine slots, up from the present five, while the 10th nation will enter a six team play off tournament to ascertain the final two qualifiers thus raising the potential of an extra place for the continent.
The Confederation of African Football, CAF, had been lobbying for 10 posts with the continent providing 54 of FIFA’s 211 member associations, a little more than a quarter.
Europe now has guaranteed slots raised from 13 to 16, while the North and Central American confederation has also seen their number of teams raised from three to six.
Asia has now gone from four to eight, while Oceania now have one guaranteed place having previously had to go through a play off with a team from South America.
