The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially spoken about Nigeria’s next step toward the 2026 FIFA World Cup after their dominant 4–0 victory over Benin Republic.
The win, which came on the final day of the qualifiers, helped the Super Eagles keep their dream of reaching the global tournament alive, but the journey is far from over.
Nigeria finished second in their qualifying group, behind South Africa, who sealed the automatic World Cup ticket after a 3–0 win over Rwanda. Despite the convincing performance from Nigeria, CAF confirmed that the Super Eagles must now wait to know if they will progress as one of the four best runners-up.
In a statement released by the football body, CAF said, “Nigeria, meanwhile, finish second and must now wait to learn if they will qualify for the FIFA Play-off Tournament as one of the four best runners-up. South Africa’s long wait for another World Cup appearance is finally over.”
What lies ahead for Nigeria
The Super Eagles’ next test will come in the playoff round scheduled to take place in Morocco between November 13 and 16. Nigeria will face Gabon in what is expected to be a tense battle for survival.
The winner of that tie will move on to a mini-final, where they could face either Cameroon or DR Congo, both known for their strong World Cup pedigree.
The African winner will then advance to the six-team Intercontinental Playoff, set to hold in the Mexican cities of Guadalajara and Monterrey in March next year.
The competition will include teams from Asia, Oceania, South America, and Central America. Only two teams from that tournament will finally book their places at the 2026 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Tough Road to the World Stage
For Nigeria, the road to the World Cup remains tough. With big names like Cameroon, Costa Rica, and Iraq also in the playoff mix, the Super Eagles will have to stay focused and determined.
Their experience, coupled with their attacking strength, could be the key to securing one of the final tickets.
During the Benin game, a brief on-field moment drew attention when stand-in captain William Troost-Ekong was seen cautioning goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali after a collision with a Benin player.