South Africa, Ivory Coast, Senegal, Qatar and Saudi Arabia secured automatic qualification for the 2026 World Cup with convincing victories. Senegal thrashed Mauritania 4-0, Ivory Coast defeated Kenya 3-0, and South Africa also won 3-0 against Rwanda. These nations will join other African qualifiers at the tournament in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. In Asia, Qatar beat UAE 2-1 and Saudi Arabia played a goalless draw with Iraq.