2022 FIFA World Cup™ – News – Djibouti spring upset as World Cup qualifying begins in Africa
- Africa’s qualifying competition for Qatar 2022 kicked off Wednesday
- 16 teams embarked on their FIFA World Cup journeys
- Mozambique, Djibouti among five sides off to winning starts
Africa’s path to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ began in earnest on Wednesday as the first round of qualifiers got under way across the continent.
The day featured eight match-ups, and with all but one decided by no more than a goal, there was plenty of drama. Perhaps the biggest surprise were Djibouti, who knocked off Eswatini 2-1 in Ville de Djibouti thanks to substitute Hamza Idleh’s match-winner in the 74th minute. Seated at 195th in the most recent FIFA/Coca-Cola Men’s World Ranking, Julien Mette’s charges exacted payback on their competition, who prevailed 8-1 during qualifiers for Russia 2018.
Meanwhile Namibia, Mozambique, Guinea-Bissau and Liberia all put good feet forward by registering wins on the opening day, inching closer to second round berths.
Watch LIVE on FIFA.com and YouTube
FIFA’s digital platforms are giving fans a front row seat to CAF World Cup qualifiers with live streams of matches from Round 1, which run from 4-10 September. All 28 matches will be available as live, delayed or with highlights. Keep up with the first round on FIFA.com and over at FIFA TV on YouTube.
