What are the chances of the Super Eagles qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup?

Many Nigerians person been questioning the Super Eagles' chances of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup aft they failed to unafraid a triumph against South Africa.

The Super Eagles managed to gain lone 11 points from the 21 disposable successful the 7 matches played truthful far, placing them six points down the radical leaders, South Africa. Meanwhile, Benin Republic holds 2nd spot with a triumph implicit Lesotho, accumulating 14 points aft 8 games..

Super Eagles travel for the 2026 FIFA World Cup

Nigeria's World Cup qualifying run began poorly nether the absorption of Jose Peseiro, with the squad signaling draws against Lesotho and Zimbabwe. Following this, erstwhile Super Eagles subordinate Finidi George took implicit arsenic interim manager for the adjacent 2 matches, but helium could lone unafraid 1 constituent from games against Lesotho and Benin Republic. Eventually, Eric Chelle was appointed arsenic the imperishable caput manager of the team.

Chelle has started his run connected a affirmative enactment with 8 points from 4 games, which is not capable for Nigeria to suffice for the World Cup owed to earlier results successful erstwhile matches.

What does this mean for the Super Eagles?

The apical presumption seems unreachable astatine this moment, arsenic South Africa whitethorn decorativeness arsenic the radical winners, which would unafraid them an automatic spot successful the 2026 World Cup.d Cup.

Nigeria has a anticipation of qualifying done the champion losers' route. One of the 4 champion runners-up from the CAF groups tin beforehand to the continental playoffs, which tin pb to a accidental astatine an inter-confederation playoff. This way offers a much constricted way to qualification.to qualification.

There is simply a anticipation that FIFA deducts 3 points from South Africa, who whitethorn look a 3-point deduction for fielding an ineligible player—potentially dropping them to 14 points and opening the doorway for Nigeria to instrumentality the lead.

Super Eagles' remaining games astatine the 2026 World Cup qualifying games.

October 6, 2025 - Lesotho vs Nigeria (Away)

A must-win lucifer against 1 of the group’s weaker teams. Dropping points present would astir surely extremity nonstop qualification - hopes.

October 13, 2025 – Nigeria vs Benin ( Home)

Benin is 3 points up of Nigeria, truthful this could find who finishes 2nd—or adjacent who challenges South Africa if they suffer their past 2 games.

How galore African countries volition suffice for the World Cup?

The nine Confederation of African Football (CAF) radical winners unafraid nonstop introduction to the World Cup 2026, portion the 4 champion runners-up volition enactment successful an intercontinental playoff for the anticipation of securing a 10th spot astatine the tournament.

How volition Nigeria suffice for the 2026 World Cup?

Nigeria indispensable triumph their matches against Lesotho and Rwanda, portion hoping that South Africa loses some of their games and faces a three-point deduction from FIFA for fielding an ineligible subordinate against Lesotho.

To qualify, they request to decorativeness successful 2nd spot and anticipation to beryllium 1 of the 4 champion runners-up among the 9 CAF groups. The 4 selected teams volition participate a mini-playoff tournament, and the victor of that tourney volition beforehand to the inter-confederation playoff, wherever they volition vie against teams from different continents for a last spot successful the World Cup.e against teams from different continents for a last spot successful the World Cup.

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