Can Nigeria still qualify for World Cup 2026? Super Eagles match schedule and what they need to reach FIFA finals

Nigeria's hopes of reaching the 2026 FIFA World Cup are hanging by a thread.

The Africa Cup of Nations runners-up were winless in their first four matches in CAF Group C, with a 2-1 loss to Benin following three consecutive draws, but new head coach Eric Chelle oversaw a morale-boosting 2-0 win in Rwanda, where Victor Osimhen bagged a brace to seal the Super Eagles' first World Cup qualification win since November 2021.

Osimhen was on target once more four days later against Zimbabwe, but a 90th-minute equaliser for the group's bottom side struck a huge blow to the Super Eagles' chances of securing an automatic spot at next year's tournament.

Those memories were still fresh against Rwanda on September 6 when, after Osimhen limped off, substitute Tolu Arokodare scored the only goal. Still, three points were much-needed heading into a crucial clash with South Africa in Bloemfontein.

The Sporting News takes a look at what Nigeria have to do to salvage their efforts to reach the 2026 World Cup and their upcoming fixtures.

MORE: What's happened to Victor Osimhen?

Can Nigeria still qualify for World Cup 2026? 

Yes, Nigeria can still reach the finals to be staged across the United States, Canada and Mexico. But there chances are perilously slim after a 1-1 draw with South Africa on September 9.

That result put the Super Eagles second in Group C, ahead of Benin on goal difference having played a game more. The fact Benin's game in hand is against second-bottom Lesotho means they are expected to usurp Eric Chelle's men

Only back-to-back defeats for South Africa against already-eliminated Zimbabwe and Rwanda will give Nigeria any chance of topping the section.

Any other result means they must focus on claiming second place. The winners of CAF's nine groups qualify automatically for the World Cup, with the four best runners-up entering the playoff route. The problem here is the fourth-ranked nation among the second-place teams is Burkina Faso on 15 points. Cameroon, Namibia and Uganda have the same amount, meaning they are all four points better off than Nigeria with two games to play.

A lifeline could arrive if FIFA decide to deduct points from South Africa for fielding an ineligible player against Lesotho. Midfielder Teboho Mokoena should have sat out the 2-0 win due to yellow-card accumulation.

MORE: What did Atalanta pay for Ademola Lookman?

When is next Nigeria match?

Nigeria's next match is an away World Cup qualifier against Lesotho on September 9.

Super Eagles schedule

*Result forfeited in Nigeria's favour as part of disciplinary action against Libya

How many African teams will qualify for 2026 World Cup?

Nine African teams are guaranteed a spot at the 2026 World Cup, with the possibility of a 10th taking part.

After the nine group winners from  CAF qualification progress automatically, the four best runners-up will contest a playoff to decide which team advances to the inter-confederation eliminator round.

One representative from each confederation, except for UEFA and with two from CONCACAF as the host federation, will contest the six-team playoff.

The two highest-ranked teams according to FIFA's world rankings will be seeded for the playoff, which will decide the final two qualifiers for the World Cup.

The seeded teams will face the winners of two semifinals featuring the four unseeded teams for a place at the tournament.