Explained: How Nigeria can qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup
Nigeria’s route to the 2026 FIFA World Cup involves a two-stage knockout process, the CAF Play-Off tournament and the Intercontinental Play-off tournament.
Having finished as one of the four best runners-up in the African qualifying group stage, the Super Eagles secured a place in the CAF Play-Off tournament alongside Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and Gabon.
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The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has confirmed the fixtures and dates for the play-offs, where four nations will battle for Africa’s final World Cup ticket.
Following Nigeria’s emphatic 4-0 win over Benin Republic in Uyo, powered by Victor Osimhen’s hat-trick, the Super Eagles sealed their spot in the semi-finals. According to CAF’s schedule, Nigeria will face Gabon on November 13, 2025, while Cameroon take on DR Congo the following day.
Both ties will be single-leg fixtures played on neutral ground in Morocco. The winners will meet in the final on November 16, 2025, with the victor earning Africa’s sole slot in the Intercontinental Play-offs, scheduled for March 2026 in Mexico.
If Nigeria wins in the CAF Play-Off, they will advance to the Six-Team Intercontinental Play-Off, featuring Africa’s representative, as well as Bolivia, New Caledonia, the Asian Play-off winner (either Iraq or the UAE), and two teams from CONCACAF (Jamaica, Costa Rica, or Panama).
The Intercontinental Play-Off will determine the final two berths for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
