Nigeria’s chances of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup have become even slimmer, with recent standings showing that even two wins in their final group games might not be enough to secure a playoff spot.
The Super Eagles cannot qualify for the playoff round simply by defeating Lesotho and Benin Republic. Even if Nigeria collects all six points to finish on 17 points, that total may still fall short depending on results from other groups.
The current qualification format means that only the group winners advance directly to the World Cup, while the best four second-placed teams across all groups will move on to the playoff round. Nigeria currently sits third in their group behind South Africa and Benin, which puts them in a tight corner.
For Nigeria to keep their hopes alive, South Africa must drop points in their remaining games, while the Super Eagles must win back-to-back matches to have any chance of sneaking into the playoffs.
The latest ranking of second-placed teams shows how tough the battle is. Gabon leads with 19 points, followed by Madagascar (19 points), Burkina Faso (18), Cameroon (18), and DR Congo (16). Nigeria’s current points tally leaves them outside that competitive list.
With all pressure mounting and Nigerians growing restless, the Super Eagles upcoming fixtures have become must-win encounters.
Also the team will have to rely not just on their own performance, but also on favorable results from other groups which is a risky situation for a nation that missed the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
