World Cup 2026 qualifiers: What are the tiebreaker criteria between Cameroon and Cape Verde if they finish level on points?

Nothing has been decided yet in Group D of the African qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup.

After being held to a 2-2 draw by Libya on Matchday 9 of the group stage, Cape Verde are now just two points ahead of Cameroon. The "Indomitable Lions" secured a 2-0 away win over Mauritius.

Also read: 2025 U20 World Cup: The full schedule for the first round

Both teams could end up sharing top spot in Group D with 21 points each at the end of the 10th and final round of qualifiers. This scenario would play out if Cape Verde draw against Eswatini while Cameroon claim all three points against Angola.

The tiebreaker criteria between Cameroon and Cape Verde if level on points

FIFA has established eight criteria to separate teams in the event of a tie on points during the qualifiers.

1. Overall goal difference: the best goal difference across all group matches.

2. Number of goals scored: the highest number of goals scored in all group matches.

3. Head-to-head: the result of matches played between the teams concerned, following the same criteria.

4. Goal difference in head-to-head matches: the goal difference specifically in matches played between the tied teams.

5. Number of goals scored in head-to-head matches: the highest number of goals scored in games between the tied teams.

6. Number of away goals scored: specifically if the tie concerns only two teams.

7. Fair Play ranking: a points system is used to penalize cards:

Yellow card: -1 point

Second yellow card/indirect red card: -3 points

Direct red card: -4 points

Yellow card followed by a direct red: -5 points

8. Drawing of lots: as a last resort, if the tie remains unbroken after all previous criteria.

Imed Ben Amara |

Editorar, fr

Imed Ben Amara - bilingual sports writer and web editor with experience in football content creation. Since 2021, he has contributed to Foot Africa, providing news coverage and analysis.