Following a surprising 1-1 draw against Zimbabwe on Tuesday, March 25, 2025, concerns have intensified over Nigeria’s chances of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
With only one victory in six matches, the Super Eagles now face an uphill battle to secure a spot in the tournament, as their qualification prospects have significantly diminished.
The continent has been allocated nine automatic slots for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Additionally, one more African team can qualify through the inter-confederation playoffs, potentially increasing Africa’s total representation to ten teams.
Nigeria’s Standing in the Qualification Race
South Africa currently tops the group, while Rwanda and Benin are level on points, separated by goal difference. Nigeria, with just seven points from six games, sits in fourth place, trailing behind the frontrunners.
| Position | Team | Played | Wins | Draws | Losses | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | South Africa | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 10 | 5 | +5 | 13 |
| 2 | Rwanda | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 8 |
| 3 | Benin | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 7 | -1 | 8 |
| 4 | Nigeria | 6 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 7 | 6 | +1 | 7 |
| 5 | Lesotho | 6 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 5 | -1 | 6 |
| 6 | Zimbabwe | 6 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 5 | 9 | -4 | 4 |
Can Nigeria Still Qualify?
With only four matches left to play, Nigeria must win all remaining games to have any realistic hope of securing a spot. Reports of a potential investigation into South Africa’s qualification campaign and a possible points deduction could provide an unexpected lifeline.
However, even in the best-case scenario, the Super Eagles must capitalize on every opportunity to keep their World Cup dreams alive.