Nigeria's World Cup 2026 Qualifiers: Is It Still Possible?

Mr Football
Oct 2
2 min read

The Super Eagles of Nigeria are in the thick of a battle to reach the 2026 FIFA World Cup. But after a series of inconsistent performances , their path is anything but secure.

Current Situation in Group C

Nigeria sit on 11 points after a 1-1 draw with South Africa, who have dropped to second place on goal difference. This is after FIFA deducted them 3 points for fielding an ineligible player in the match against Lesotho.

caf world cup qualifiers group c — Caf world cup qualifiers goup C

Only group winners qualify directly for the 2026 World Cup. The best four runners-up across all CAF groups will enter an intercontinental playoff for one additional berth. Nigeria, Benin, and Rwanda are tightly packed in the standings, making goal difference and head-to-head matchups significant.

Challenges Facing Nigeria

Too many draws, not enough wins

Nigeria has drawn5 games so far which could be prove to be one too many, especially at home, against teams like Lesotho and Zimbabwe, dropping crucial points in matches they might have expected to win.

Even if Nigeria wins both their remaining matches (versus Lesotho, and Benin), they need South Africa to drop points which makes direct qualification will be very hard.

Slim margin for error

With goal difference and head-to-head rules in play, one poor finish or defensive slip could tip them out of contention even if they win. Veteran player Moses Simon have said there are “no excuses” and that everyone must step up.

What Nigeria Needs to Do

Win all remaining matches (Lesotho, Rwanda, South Africa) to maximize points
Score heavily in order to improve goal difference and edge rivals.
Hope South Africa stumbles in one of their remaining matches.
Finish as one of the top runners-up, if they cannot claim first to have a shot in the Play0ffs.

Final Word: Still Possible, But Only Just

Nigeria can still qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. But it’s a steep mountain to climb. Their margin for error is nearly gone. If they don’t deliver top performances in every match from here on, they may well miss out once again.