Nigeria’s hopes of reaching the 2026 FIFA World Cup are hanging by a thread.
The Africa Cup of Nations finalists have failed to win any of their opening four matches in CAF Group C, losing 2-1 to Benin last time out after three consecutive draws.
Overall, the Super Eagles are winless in their last seven World Cup qualifying matches, a remarkable drought that dates back to November 2021.
That campaign ended with an away goals defeat to Ghana in the qualifiers and they might not even go that far this time around.
The final three international breaks of 2024 will see Nigeria take part in Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, and the results of those matches will likely go a long way towards settling the long-term future of the team’s management before World Cup qualifying resumes in March 2025. Interim boss Austin Eguavoen is overseeing those September games following the acrimonious departure of Finidi George.
THE Jugo Mobile looks at what Nigeria needs to do to salvage its efforts to reach the 2026 World Cup and its upcoming matches.
Can Nigeria still qualify for the 2026 World Cup?
Yes, Nigeria can still reach the final phase which will be held in the United States, Canada and Mexico. All is not lost yet, even if the window of opportunity is closing fast.
The Super Eagles sit fifth in Group C with three points. At first glance, it’s a dismal record, but they are only four points behind second-placed South Africa. Meanwhile, Bafana Bafana are only trailing leaders Rwanda on goal difference.
Nigeria have six games left to turn the tide, with the teams playing home and away in the group stage.
The winners of the nine CAF groups automatically qualify for the World Cup, with the four best runners-up advancing to the playoff route.
When is Nigeria’s next match?
Nigeria’s next match gives them an instant chance to exact revenge on Benin on Saturday, September 7, when their AFCON preliminary campaign kicks off at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium.
In the World Cup qualifiers in June, Benin won 2-1 thanks to late first-half goals from Jodel Dossou and Steve Mounie. Nigeria took the lead through Raphael Onyedika.
Rwanda Nigerians are also in Group D of the AFCON qualifiers, meaning Nigeria’s return to World Cup qualifying action at the Amahoro Stadium on Monday, March 17, will be the third meeting between the two countries in the space of six months.
Super Eagles Calendar
| Date | Competition | Correspond |
| September 7th | CAN Qualifications | Nigeria vs Benin |
| September 10 | CAN Qualifications | Rwanda vs Nigeria |
| October 6 | CAN Qualifications | Nigeria vs Libya |
| October 14 | CAN Qualifications | Libya vs Nigeria |
| November 10 | CAN Qualifications | Benin vs Nigeria |
| November 18 | CAN Qualifications | Nigeria vs Rwanda |
| March 17 | World Cup Qualifications | Rwanda vs Nigeria |
| March 24 | World Cup Qualifications | Nigeria vs Zimbabwe |
| September 1st | World Cup Qualifications | Nigeria vs Rwanda |
| September 8 | World Cup Qualifications | South Africa vs Nigeria |
| October 6 | World Cup Qualifications | Lesotho vs Nigeria |
| October 13 | World Cup Qualifications | Nigeria vs Benin |
How many African teams will qualify for the 2026 World Cup?
Nine African teams are guaranteed a place at the 2026 World Cup, with the possibility of a tenth participation.
After the nine group winners from CAF qualifying automatically progress, the four best runners-up will play a play-off to determine which team will advance to the inter-confederation knockout round.
One representative from each confederation, except UEFA and two representatives from CONCACAF as host federation, will compete in the six-team qualifiers.
The two highest-ranked teams in the FIFA World Rankings will be seeded for the qualifiers, which will determine 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 spot in the tournament.
