Nigeria’s Super Eagles kept their World Cup dream alive with a commanding 4–0 victory over Benin Republic, sealing a place in the CAF play-off stage for the FIFA 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
Despite missing out on an automatic ticket, Nigeria remains firmly in the race—set to embark on the grueling continental and intercontinental play-off route to North America.
The Road Ahead: CAF Play-Offs in Morocco
The CAF play-offs will take place in Morocco this November, where Nigeria will face Gabon in the first semi-final on November 13, 2025.
The winner will square off against either Cameroon or DR Congo in the final three days later, on November 16, 2025.
Only the champion of this mini-tournament will advance to the FIFA Inter-Confederation Play-Offs in March 2026.
The last chance to secure a place among the world’s elite in Canada, the USA, and Mexico.
The Inter-Confederation Showdown
The FIFA Play-Off Tournament will unfold between March 23 and 31, 2026, featuring six nations from across the globe:
2 teams from CONCACAF (North & Central America)
1 from CAF (Africa)
1 from AFC (Asia)
1 from CONMEBOL (South America)
1 from OFC (Oceania)
Confirmed participants already include Bolivia (South America) and New Caledonia (Oceania).
The remaining representatives from Asia and CONCACAF will be determined after their regional qualifiers.
How It Works
According to FIFA’s format, the four lowest-ranked teams in the FIFA World Ranking will first contest the semi-finals in two knockout brackets.
The two highest-ranked sides will receive byes to the finals.
The winners of both finals will claim the last two tickets to the FIFA World Cup 2026, joining the 48-nation spectacle in North America.
For Nigeria, the mission is clear: conquer Africa’s play-offs in Morocco and then survive the global showdown in March.
The Super Eagles’ journey to the World Cup may be longer than expected—but the dream of flying to North America is still very much alive.
