World Cup 2026: Nigeria, Cameroon, Serbia… The big absentees from the tournament
The major absentees from the 2026 World CupCameroon/@camerfoot145 nations will not feature at the upcoming 2026 World Cup with only six spots left to fill for the final line-up of the next edition, se...
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CAF Awards 2025: Achraf Hakimi, Morocco crowned after 27 years
Achraf Hakimi, Morocco crowned after 27 yearsAchraf Hakimi/@FRMFAchraf Hakimi was named African Player of the Year 2025 during the ceremony held Wednesday night in Rabat. The Moroccan star edged out M...
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McGlynn on MacIver injury, Bain positivity & Tannadice test
Falkirk boss John McGlynn has been speaking to the media before his side's trip to face Dundee United on Saturday. Striker Ross MacIver has undergone surgery on the ankle injury he suffered earlier this month against Kilmarnock and will be out "long term". McGlynn is confident goalkeeper Scott Bain can bring some of the positivity from Scotland's successful World Cup qualifying campaign back to the Bairns.
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Expected pots for the 2026 World Cup draw
The pot each team is in for the 2026 World Cup draw has basically been confirmed, and here are all the details you need to know.
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![](/<figure><img alt="World Cup 2026: Nigeria, Cameroon, Serbia… The big absentees from the tournament" src="https://media.zenfs.com/en/foot_africa_articles_352/5ccc75cdd3d49bc11f20c2ffcd93d1a4" data-uuid="a05e3f30-d470-39d7-a2a3-2990f43a354b"><figcaption>World Cup 2026: Nigeria, Cameroon, Serbia… The big absentees from the tournament</figcaption></figure><p>The major absentees from the 2026 World Cup</p><img height="0" src="https://media.zenfs.com/en/foot_africa_articles_352/5ccc75cdd3d49bc11f20c2ffcd93d1a4" width="0" data-uuid="a05e3f30-d470-39d7-a2a3-2990f43a354b"><p>Cameroon/@camerfoot</p><p>145 nations will not feature at the upcoming <a href="https://foot-africa.com/en/news/world-cup/">2026 World Cup </a>with only six spots left to fill for the final line-up of the next edition, set to be staged in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.</p><p>Forty-two teams have already punched their tickets for the tournament's final stage, including nine African sides: Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Egypt, Cape Verde, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Senegal, and South Africa.</p><p>While four nations—Cape Verde, Jordan, Uzbekistan, and Curaçao—are set to make their tournament debuts, several football powerhouses have been left out of the party.</p><p>Serbia, Greece, and Hungary failed to secure qualification from Europe, just as Nigeria, missing out for the first time after seven consecutive appearances since 1994, and Cameroon, quarter-finalists in 1990, have in Africa.</p><p>In terms of population, China and India are the world’s largest countries, but neither will be present at the World Cup. Trinidad and Tobago, Costa Rica, and Honduras also miss out after falling short in the CONCACAF qualifiers.</p><p>Finally, it’s worth noting the absence of Venezuela, Peru, and Alexis Sanchez’s Chile, all of whom crashed out in the CONMEBOL qualifiers.</p><img height="0" src="/footafrica_build/img/placeholder.svg" width="100" data-uuid="95ca3f6f-a991-343c-ad12-64b4ff830b49">)
![](/<figure><img alt="CAF Awards 2025: Achraf Hakimi, Morocco crowned after 27 years" src="https://media.zenfs.com/en/foot_africa_articles_352/aa0a1fc5d6815d58154a630a829e6d68" data-uuid="f9445c65-ba9e-3106-98ec-7f3c954db831"><figcaption>CAF Awards 2025: Achraf Hakimi, Morocco crowned after 27 years</figcaption></figure><p>Achraf Hakimi, Morocco crowned after 27 years</p><img height="0" src="https://media.zenfs.com/en/foot_africa_articles_352/aa0a1fc5d6815d58154a630a829e6d68" width="0" data-uuid="f9445c65-ba9e-3106-98ec-7f3c954db831"><p>Achraf Hakimi/@FRMF</p><p>Achraf Hakimi was named African Player of the Year 2025 during the ceremony held Wednesday night in Rabat. The Moroccan star edged out Mohamed Salah (Egypt) and Victor Osimhen (Nigeria) for the prestigious honor.</p><p>After a sensational season, the PSG full-back collected several trophies, including <a href="https://foot-africa.com/en/news/europe/champions-league/">the Champions League</a>, Ligue 1, the French Cup, and the UEFA Super Cup.</p><p>With this triumph, the former Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund, and Inter Milan defender becomes only the second Moroccan to win the award, ending a 27-year wait for the nation.</p><p>Indeed, before him, Mustapha Hadji claimed the title back in 1998 while playing for Deportivo La Coruña—a year he dazzled at the World Cup with the Atlas Lions.</p><p>Mustapha Hadji represented Morocco 63 times (scoring 13 goals) and enjoyed a prolific career across France, Spain, England, Germany, the United Arab Emirates, and Luxembourg.</p><p>It's worth noting that Hakimi had previously been honored twice as Africa's Best Young Player in 2018 and 2019.</p><img height="0" src="/footafrica_build/img/placeholder.svg" width="100" data-uuid="95ca3f6f-a991-343c-ad12-64b4ff830b49">)