Nigeria’s hopes of reaching the 2026 FIFA World Cup are still alive heading into a crucial showdown with South Africa in Bloemfontein.
The Africa Cup of Nations runners-up were winless in their first four matches in CAF Group C, with a 2-1 loss to Benin following three consecutive draws, but new head coach Eric Chelle oversaw a morale-boosting 2-0 win in Rwanda, where Victor Osimhen bagged a brace to seal the Super Eagles’ first World Cup qualification win since November 2021.
Osimhen was on target once more four days later against Zimbabwe, but a 90th-minute equaliser for the group’s bottom side struck a huge blow to the Super Eagles’ chances of securing an automatic spot at next year’s tournament.
Those memories were still fresh against Rwanda on September 6 when, after Osimhen limped off, substitute Tolu Arokodare scored the only goal.
The Sporting News takes a look at what Nigeria have to do to salvage their efforts to reach the 2026 World Cup and their upcoming fixtures.
MORE: What’s happened to Victor Osimhen?
Can Nigeria still qualify for World Cup 2026?
Yes, Nigeria can still reach the finals to be staged across the United States, Canada and Mexico. But there is plenty of work to do, and they will need some help from elsewhere.
The Super Eagles lie third in the six-team Group C on 10 points, six points behind leaders South Africa and one point behind Benin.
Nigeria have three games remaining. Completing the double over Rwanda means they have the chance to be at within three points of South Africa should they defeat Bafana Bafana on matchday eight.
Any other result means they must focus on claiming second place. The winners of CAF’s nine groups qualify automatically for the World Cup, with the four best runners-up entering the playoff route.
A further twist could be added if FIFA decide to deduct points from South Africa for fielding an ineligible player against Lesotho. Midfielder Teboho Mokoena shoudl have sat out the 2-0 win due to yellow-card accumulation.
MORE: What did Atalanta pay for Ademola Lookman?
When is next Nigeria match?
Nigeria’s next match is an away World Cup qualifier against South Africa on September 9.
Super Eagles schedule
| Date | Competition | Match |
| September 7, 2024 | AFCON Qualifying | Nigeria 3-0 Benin |
| September 10, 2024 | AFCON Qualifying | Rwanda 0-0 Nigeria |
| October 6, 2024 | AFCON Qualifying | Nigeria 1-0 Libya |
| October 14, 2024 | AFCON Qualifying | Libya 0-3 Nigeria* |
| November 10, 2024 | AFCON Qualifying | Benin 1-1 Nigeria |
| November 18, 2024 | AFCON Qualifying | Nigeria 1-2 Rwanda |
| March 21, 2025 | World Cup Qualifying | Rwanda 0-2 Nigeria |
| March 25, 2025 | World Cup Qualifying | Nigeria 1-1 Zimbabwe |
| June 6, 2025 | Friendly | Russia 1-1 Nigeria |
| September 6, 2025 | World Cup Qualifying | Nigeria 1-0 Rwanda |
| September 9, 2025 | World Cup Qualifying | South Africa vs. Nigeria |
| October 6, 2025 | World Cup Qualifying | Lesotho vs. Nigeria |
| October 13, 2025 | World Cup Qualifying | Nigeria vs. Benin |
*Result forfeited in Nigeria’s favour as part of disciplinary action against Libya
How many African teams will qualify for 2026 World Cup?
Nine African teams are guaranteed a spot at the 2026 World Cup, with the possibility of a 10th taking part.
After the nine group winners from CAF qualification progress automatically, the four best runners-up will contest a playoff to decide which team advances to the inter-confederation eliminator round.
One representative from each confederation, except for UEFA and with two from CONCACAF as the host federation, will contest the six-team playoff.
The two highest-ranked teams according to FIFA’s world rankings will be seeded for the playoff, which will decide the final two qualifiers for the World Cup.
The seeded teams will face the winners of two semifinals featuring the four unseeded teams for a place at the tournament.
