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CAF Introduces VAR for 2026 World Cup Playoffs as Super Eagles Gear Up for Gabon Clash
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced a major update to the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification process: the introduction of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system in the playoff stage.
The technology, set to debut later this month, will be used for the first time during the African playoffs, a significant step towards improving fairness and accuracy in crucial match decisions across the continent.
With just seven days left before the first kickoff, anticipation is building among fans and teams alike.
Nigeria’s Super Eagles will be among those to experience the new system firsthand when they face Gabon in the playoff semi-final on Thursday, November 13, 2025, at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, Morocco. The fixture promises high intensity, as both nations chase a spot in the final round of the playoffs.
The current playoff lineup includes Nigeria, Gabon, DR Congo, and Cameroon. The winners of the Nigeria vs. Gabon and DR Congo vs Cameroon ties will face off in the final playoff, with the overall victor earning Africa’s final ticket to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
Nigeria sealed their playoff berth after finishing second in Group C during the qualifiers, advancing as one of CAF’s best second-placed teams — a provision introduced to give top-performing teams another shot at qualification.
The implementation of VAR has been widely praised as a long-awaited reform in African football, particularly after several qualification rounds were decided without access to video review technology. Officials believe the move will ensure better oversight of crucial moments, including penalty decisions, offside calls, and red card incidents.
For the Super Eagles, the inclusion of VAR could not come at a better time. The team has endured its share of controversial refereeing moments in past qualifiers, and this new measure may provide a much-needed layer of transparency as Nigeria seeks a return to the world stage.
As the countdown continues to November 13, fans are eager to see whether this new era of officiating will make a difference and whether Nigeria can rise to the occasion under the bright lights of Rabat.