Following the Super Eagles’ successful entry into the African playoffs for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, achieved through an impressive performance on the final day of qualifiers in Uyo against the Benin Republic, there seems to be hope for Nigeria.
Among all the teams participating in the Intercontinental playoffs, which represent the last opportunity to qualify for the World Cup, Nigeria’s Super Eagles hold the highest FIFA ranking at 45. This indicates that if the Super Eagles successfully navigate the African playoffs next month in Morocco, Nigeria will only need to play one match in the final to secure a spot in the World Cup.
Nigeria’s Super Eagles are currently ranked 45th globally, positioning them as the top seeds ahead of Costa Rica (47), Cameroon (52), Iraq (58), DR Congo (60), UAE (67), Jamaica (69), Bolivia (77), Gabon (79), Curacao (86), and New Caledonia (150).
Nevertheless, Gabon presents the first challenge that the Super Eagles must overcome on November 13 in Morocco, before facing the winner of the match between Cameroon and DR Congo for a chance to compete in the Intercontinental final playoffs in Mexico next year.
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Should the Super Eagles successfully achieve their goal in Morocco next month, securing their place as Africa’s sole representatives in the Intercontinental showdown in Mexico, Nigeria, being the highest-ranked team, will have the advantage of facing one of the lower-ranked teams that qualified for the final playoff match in the South American cities of Guadalajara or Monterrey.
In the meantime, Super Eagles defender Semi Ajayi will be unavailable for the opening clash of the 2026 World Cup Playoffs against Gabon, having received his second yellow card during the qualifying series.
The Hull City player was cautioned in the home match against Lesotho, and subsequently received his second booking against Benin on Tuesday in Uyo.
