2026 World Cup Qualifiers: Super Eagles Miss Out on Playoff Spot as Best Runners-Up
Story written by Joseph October 9,2025
Nigeria’s hopes of reaching the 2026 FIFA World Cup through the playoff route have dimmed, as the Super Eagles failed to make the list of top runners-up in the African qualifiers.
Ahead of their final two fixtures against Lesotho and Benin Republic, the Super Eagles have accumulated 11 points, meaning the maximum they can reach is 17 points if they win both matches.
However, Wednesday’s results across the continent have placed at least four teams above that threshold — Gabon (19 points), Madagascar (19), Burkina Faso (18), and Cameroon (18) — effectively pushing Nigeria out of contention for a playoff berth.
With the standings as they are, Nigeria’s only remaining path to qualification would depend on South Africa slipping up in one of their remaining matches while the Eagles secure full points in theirs.
The development marks another setback for Nigerian football fans, who had hoped the three-time African champions would bounce back strongly in the qualifiers after an inconsistent start.
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