Algeria has become the fourth African country to qualify for the 2026 World Cup

Riyad Mahrez led from the front as Algeria became the fourth African nation to qualify for the 2026 Fifa World Cup after cruising to a 3-0 win over Somalia.

Algeria has become the fourth African country to qualify for the 2026 World Cup -- and all of them are from the north of the continent.

Algeria, captained by Riyad Mahrez and led by former Switzerland coach Vladimir Petkovic, joined neighboring nations Morocco and Tunisia as well as Mohamed Salah's Egypt in securing a spot in next year's expanded 48-team tournament being held in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

It will be the fifth time for the Algerians at the World Cup -- and they've only ever progressed from the group stage once, in 2014 when they lost to Germany in the round of 16.

Meanwhile, Uganda all but clinched second place in Group G after beating Botswana 1-0 thanks to Jude Ssemugabi's second-half header from a corner.

The Cranes are three points ahead of Mozambique, who fell to a 2-1 defeat at home against Guinea, and hold a 10-goal advantage over their rivals when it comes goal difference.

Uganda travel to Algeria while Mozambique are away to Somalia in the final round of games on Monday.

Only the four best second-placed sides across the nine groups will enter African play-offs next month, with the overall winners then advancing to a final inter-continental qualifier.