Nigeria has officially booked its place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying playoffs after an emphatic 4–0 victory over the Benin Republic on Tuesday evening in Uyo. The Super Eagles delivered one of their finest performances of the campaign at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, led by a breathtaking hat-trick from star striker Victor Osimhen.
The Galatasaray forward, who once again proved his world-class pedigree, struck three times to guide Nigeria to a commanding win, while Frank Onyeka added a crucial fourth goal to seal the result. Onyeka’s late strike also played a vital role in improving Nigeria’s goal difference, ensuring they finished among Africa’s best runners-up and qualified for the playoff stage.
With the group stage now concluded, the Super Eagles are set to face Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s in-form Gabon in what promises to be a thrilling playoff showdown. Nigeria joins Gabon and Cameroon as the three African nations so far confirmed for the next phase.
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The upcoming FIFA intercontinental playoff tournament, scheduled for November 2025, will feature six teams competing for the final two spots at the 2026 World Cup. The competition will include two nations from CONCACAF and one each from the AFC, CAF, CONMEBOL, and OFC confederations.
According to the format, the four lowest-ranked teams will battle in semifinal brackets, while the two highest-ranked sides will advance directly to the finals. The winners of the two finals will ultimately secure qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, setting the stage for a high-stakes contest among world football’s rising powers.
