World Cup (Q): Senegal top Group B to book fourth World Cup appearance; DR Congo qualify for playoff

Senegal qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after trouncing Mauritania 4-0 in their final Group B game. In Kinshasa, DR Congo managed to progress to the playoffs with a narrow win over Sudan in Kinshasa as the group finished up on Tuesday.

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The Teranga Lions secured their fourth World Cup appearance following their big win over Mauritania. The home side had a slow start in Diamniadio, with Mauritania threatening to score in the early exchanges.

Talisman Sadio Mané broke the deadlock with a well-taken free kick before halftime. The Senegalese star doubled the lead after the resumption, before Iliman Ndiaye extended the lead with a remarkable solo run in the 66th minute. France-based Habib Diallo put the game to bed with a fourth goal five minutes before full time.

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Elsewhere, a first-half goal from Theo Bongonda handed DR Congo a 1-0 win over Sudan. The result helped DR Congo clinch one of the playoff spots as they await the semifinal ties in November to qualify for the World Cup via the intercontinental playoffs.

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Senegal topped the group with 24 points, two points ahead of DR Congo. Sudan finished third with 13 points after a bright start to the campaign, only to fade away in the later stages.

2026 World Cup Qualifying: Final Group B Table

1. Senegal- 24 points
2. DR Congo- 22 points
3. Sudan- 13 points
4. Togo- 8 points
5. Mauritania- 7 points
6. South Sudan- 5 points

Table of group runners-up (Top 4 advance to playoff)

1. Gabon- 19 points
2. DR Congo- 16 points
3. Cameroon- 15 points (GD: +9)
4. Nigeria- 15 points (GD: +7)
5. Burkina Faso- 15 points (GD: +6) [eliminated]
6. Niger- 15 points (GD: +1) [eliminated]
7. Madagascar- 12 points (eliminated)
8. Uganda- 12 points (eliminated)
9. Namibia- 9 points (eliminated)

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