Nigeria and DR Congo moved a step closer to qualifying for the 2026 World Cup with close-run international victories on Thursday.
In the African play-offs to reach the finals, the Super Eagles were taken to extra time by Gabon and The Leopards edged past Cameroon.
In the Asian section of qualifying, the United Arab Emirates and Iraq remain level after the first episode of their two-legged play-off.
101GreatGoals.com has the results and scorers from Nigeria vs Gabon, Cameroon vs Congo DR and the UAE vs Iraq in 2026 World Cup qualifying.
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Nigeria vs Gabon: Osimhen goals help Super Eagles
Galatasaray forward Victor Osimhen was among the culprits as Nigeria squandered a succession of chances before taking a 78th-minute lead against Gabon when Akor Adams capitalised on a misplaced backpass.
Huge moment for Ejuke and Nigeria 🇳🇬 pic.twitter.com/Qdhtzx3Dmx
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) November 13, 2025
One of Osimhen’s club teammates, Mario Lemina, equalised in the 89th minute, but Chidera Ejuke struck during extra time and Osimhen followed suit twice as Nigeria won 4-1 to advance to the final on November 15, with the winners of that game progressing to the inter-confederation play-offs.
Osimhen makes it 3-1 for Nigeria 🇳🇬 pic.twitter.com/bqON51IrR3
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) November 13, 2025
Nigeria starting XI: Stanley Nwabali, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Benjamin Fredrick, Calvin Bassey, Zaidu Sanusi, Samuel Chukwueze, Wilfred Ndidi, Ademola Lookman, Alex Iwobi, Victor Osimhen, Akor Adams
Nigeria substitutes: Maduka Okoye, William Troost-Ekong, Chidera Ejuke, Frank Onyeka, Tolu Arokodare, Bruno Onyemaechi, Alhassan Yusuf, Moses Simon, Amas Obasogie, Raphael Onyedika, Chidozie Awaziem, Olakunle Olusegun
Gabon starting XI: Loyce Mbaba, Anthony Oyono, Aaron Appindangoye, Bruno Ecuele Manga, Jacques Ekomie, Mario Lemina, Royce Openda, Didier Ndong, Andre Poko, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Denis Bouanga
Gabon substitutes: Lukas Mounguenou, Alex Moucketou-Moussounda, Johann Obiang, Alan Do Marcolino, Noha Lemina, Edlin Essang-Matouti, Teddy Averlant, Jonathan Do Marcolino, Bryan Meyo, Samake Nze, Francois Bekale, Jeremy Oyono
Cameroon vs Congo DR: Mbemba makes mark
Cameroon will miss out on a ninth appearance at the finals after Chancel Mbemba met Brian Cipenga’s corner for the 91st-minute winner to send DR Congo to a meeting with Nigeria.
Manchester United and Cameroon goalkeeper Andre Onana denied Cedric Bakambu during the second half, in which one of his club and country teammates, Bryan Mbeumo, also went close.
CONGO DR STUN CAMEROON IN STOPPAGE TIME AND ADVANCE TO THE FINAL 🇨🇩 🇨🇩 🇨🇩
THEY WILL FACE NIGERIA FOR A SPOT IN THE INTER-CONFEDERATION PLAYOFFS ON SUNDAY ⚔️ pic.twitter.com/QFtNQhLDiO
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) November 13, 2025
Cameroon starting XI: Andre Onana, Jackson Tchatchoua, Jean-Charles Castelletto, Michael Ngadeu, Nouhou Tolo, Arthur Avom, Carlos Baleba, Mahamadou Nagida, Bryan Mbeumo, Frank Magri, Etta Eyong
Cameroon substitutes: Simon Omossola, Malcom Bokele, Georges-Kevin N’Koudou, Wilitty Younoussa, Vincent Aboubakar, Christian Bassogog, Patrick Soko, Darlin Yongwa, Devis Epassy, Martin Hongla, Nicolas Ngamaleu, Enzo Boyomo
DR Congo starting XI: Lionel Mpasi, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Chancel Mbemba, Axel Tuanzebe, Joris Kayembe, Charles Pickel, Noah Sadiki, Samuel Moutoussamy, Theo Bongonda, Cedric Bakambu, Nathanael Mbuku
DR Congo substitutes: Steve Kapuadi, Edo Kayembe, Ngal’ayel Mukau, Samuel Essende, Gedeon Kalulu, Arthur Masuaku, Rocky Bushiri, Timothy Fayulu, Fiston Mayele, Brian Cipenga, Matthieu Epolo, Michel-Ange Balikwisha
United Arab Emirates vs Iraq: First leg level
With both teams also looking to reach the intercontinental play-offs, Luton Town forward Ali Al-Hamadi’s 10th-minute strike put Iraq ahead in Abu Dhabi.
Ali Al Zubaidi ignites the Iraqi dream 🤩 🇮🇶#AsianQualifiers | #UAEvIRQ pic.twitter.com/aJYfjmb44j
— #AsianQualifiers (@afcasiancup) November 13, 2025
Luanzinho’s header from Abdalla Ramadan’s cross eight minutes later ensured the game finished 1-1, although Caio Lucas had a goal disallowed for the UAE in the sixth minute of added time.
The man who steps up for 🇦🇪 UAE .. and he goes by the name of Luanzinho 🫡#AsianQualifiers | #UAEvIRQ pic.twitter.com/UXSfODAsvI
— #AsianQualifiers (@afcasiancup) November 13, 2025
The second leg is at the Basra International Stadium on Tuesday.
When 🇦🇪 UAE needed a hero, Khalid Eisa answered 🧤
A world-class save to keep 🇮🇶 Iraq at bay ⚡️#AsianQualifiers | #UAEvIRQ | #MagicMoments | @VisitSaudi pic.twitter.com/eQjrdHbSFB
— #AsianQualifiers (@afcasiancup) November 13, 2025
UAE starting XI: Khalid Eissa, Marcus Meloni, Ala Zouhir, Lucas Pimenta, Ruben Canedo, Luanzinho, Yahia Nader, Abdalla Ramadan, Sultan Adil, Harib Abdalla, Nicolas Gimenez
United Arab Emirates substitutes: Adel Al Hosani, Kouame Kouadio, Ali Saleh, Richard Akonnor, Caio Lucas, Caio Canedo, Gaston Alvarez Suarez, M’Hammed Rabii, Majid Rashid, Khaled Ebraheim, Bruno Conceicao, Hamad Al Meqbaali
Iraq starting XI: Jalal Hassan, Hussein Ali, Zaid Tahseen, Akam Hashim, Merchas Doski, Marko Farji, Aimar Sher, Amir Al Ammari, Ali Jasim, Ali Al Zubaidi, Mohanad Ali
Iraq substitutes: Fahad Talib, Mustafa Sadoun, Munaf Younus, Sherko Karim, Hasan Abdulkareem, Hussein Ali, Zidane Iqbal, Ahmed Al Hajjaj, Aymen Hussein, Kevin Yakob, Osama Rashid, Ahmed Basil
When are the World Cup play-offs?
The teams are competing to play in deciders taking place in March 2026.
When is the draw for the 2026 World Cup?
The draw for the World Cup finals will take place in December 2025. The tournament runs from June 11 until July 19 2026.
