Nigeria’s road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup has become more complicated, but there’s still a glimmer of hope. The Super Eagles are hanging on to slim chances of reaching the playoffs but for that to happen, two teams must drop points.
With just one game left in the qualifiers, Nigeria’s position in Group C remains tense. Benin Republic currently lead the group with 17 points, South Africa sit second with 15, while the Super Eagles are third with 14.
To stand any chance of qualifying, Nigeria must defeat Benin Republic by at least two goals and hope South Africa drop points against Rwanda.
If South Africa win their final game, Nigeria’s dream of securing an automatic ticket will end. But if Rwanda manage to hold them, the door opens slightly for the Super Eagles to sneak in.
Even if Nigeria finish second, the situation doesn’t get easier. CAF has confirmed that only the four best second-placed teams across all groups will make the playoffs. This means that points, goal difference, and even results against weaker teams will all count in the final calculation.
The updated ranking shows that Gabon and Burkina Faso are close to sealing playoff spots with 16 and 15 points respectively, while Cameroon and DR Congo are also in contention. For Nigeria to make it into the top four second-placed teams, Cameroon and DR Congo must also drop points in their upcoming games against Angola and Sudan.
The permutations are complex, but the mission for Nigeria is clear: beat Benin convincingly and pray that results elsewhere go their way.
Missing out on the World Cup would be a major setback for Nigerian football, both on and off the pitch. Apart from the loss of prestige, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) could miss out on billions in revenue.
FIFA has announced that prize money for the 2026 tournament will rise to $896 million, more than double the amount paid at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
The pressure is on the Super Eagles to deliver. Benin Republic’s captain, Steve Mounie, has already promised that his team is coming to Uyo to win, making Tuesday’s clash a must-watch showdown.
For Nigeria, it’s now or never. The path to the 2026 World Cup is narrow, but not completely closed. A big win and a bit of luck could still keep their World Cup dream alive.