Their 1-1 draw away to Congo Brazzaville in Brazzaville has left them with no margin for error in their remaining fixtures.
Dar es Salaam. Tanzania’s national football team, Taifa Stars, are walking a tightrope in the race to qualify for the second round of the 2026 FIFA World Cup African qualifiers.
Their 1-1 draw away to Congo Brazzaville in Brazzaville has left them with no margin for error in their remaining fixtures.
The result pushed Taifa Stars to 10 points after six matches, placing them second in Group E behind runaway leaders Morocco.
The North Africans are in firm control of the group with 15 points from five games, having maintained a perfect winning record and boasting an impressive goal difference of 14:2. Tanzania trail them by five points but crucially have played one match more.
With only two matches left to play, Tanzania’s route to the next round is straightforward yet extremely demanding: they must win both remaining matches against Niger and Zambia.
Securing maximum points would lift them to 16 and ensure they remain firmly in contention regardless of how other results unfold.
Zambia, currently third with six points from five matches, remain a major threat. The Chipolopolo still have three matches in hand, meaning they could potentially leapfrog Tanzania if they go on a strong run.
With a goal tally of 9:7, they have shown signs of offensive strength, and their upcoming head-to-head clash with Taifa Stars could be a decisive battle in shaping the final standings.
Niger, meanwhile, are sitting fourth with four points from four matches. Despite their position, they cannot be overlooked.
If Niger manage to win all of their remaining games, they would climb to 16 points—one more than Morocco’s current tally.
This possibility underlines the importance of Tanzania’s fixture against them, which could prove to be a crucial six-pointer.
At the foot of the table, Congo with just one point from six outings are mathematically out of the race.
However, their stubborn resistance against Tanzania showed they can still influence the group by spoiling the chances of others.
For Taifa Stars, the challenge is as clear as it is demanding. Winning against Niger and Zambia is not just desirable—it is absolutely necessary.
Anything less than six points from the two games would likely open the door for either Zambia or Niger to capitalize, leaving Tanzania’s dream in jeopardy.
As things stand, the fate of Taifa Stars is in their own hands. With determination, discipline, and clinical finishing, they still have the opportunity to write history and advance to the second round. The next two matches will define their journey.
