Nigeria’s hopes of reaching the 2026 FIFA World Cup are in serious danger after a disastrous start to the qualification campaign. The Super Eagles have failed to win any of their opening four matches in Group C, leaving them fifth in the standings with just three points.
With only the group winner qualifying automatically and the runner-up potentially facing a tough play-off route, Nigeria must turn things around quickly to avoid missing back-to-back World Cups for the first time since our first participation in 1994.
Where Things Stand in Group C
The current standings paint a grim picture for Nigeria. Rwanda, South Africa, and Benin are all tied at the top with seven points, while Lesotho sits just ahead of Nigeria on five points. Zimbabwe, the only team below them, has two points. With six games left to play, Nigeria are four points off the top spot, making every remaining fixture a must win.
This is unfamiliar territory for a team that has qualified for six of the last eight World Cups, and failure to secure a place in the expanded 2026 tournament in North America would be a massive blow to Nigerian football.
Group C
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Draw | Lost | GF | GA | GD | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Rwanda | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 1 | +2 | 7 |
| 2. | South Africa | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 5 | +1 | 7 |
| 3. | Benin | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 3 | +1 | 7 |
| 4. | Lesotho | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 2 | +1 | 5 |
| 5. | Nigeria | 4 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 5 | -1 | 3 |
| 6. | Zimbabwe | 4 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 6 | -4 | 2 |
How Nigeria Can Still Qualify
Despite their poor start, Nigeria’s World Cup dreams are still alive. Winning the group is the simplest path, but even a second-place finish could offer a slim lifeline via the play-offs. However, to stay in contention, the Super Eagles need immediate results – starting with their next two matches against Rwanda on Friday and Zimbabwe on Tuesday.
New head coach Eric Chelle will make his debut in these fixtures, and anything less than six points from these two games could make automatic qualification nearly impossible. Nigeria’s star striker Victor Osimhen has already spoken about the team’s desperation to avoid another World Cup heartbreak, and his return from injury after missing earlier qualifiers against South Africa and Benin will be crucial.
The finalised Super Eagles squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers! ????
— Bet9ja: The home of #betBOOM! ? (@Bet9jaOfficial) March 11, 2025
Thoughts? ? pic.twitter.com/IUbHPC2spz
The Key to Turning Things Around
For the Super Eagles to mount a comeback, home form will be vital. They have already dropped points in Uyo against South Africa and Lesotho, which leaves them with no room for error in their remaining home matches against Zimbabwe, Rwanda, and Benin. If they can take maximum points from those fixtures, their path to qualification becomes far more realistic.
Away from home, the Super Eagles have tough trips to Rwanda on Friday – with South Africa, Benin, and Lesotho to follow – where they will need to pick up crucial points. Traditionally, winning on the road in African qualifiers has been difficult, but for a squad packed with European based stars, expectations remain high.
One of Nigeria’s biggest problems so far has been a lack of goals. Despite having world-class forwards like Osimhen and Ademola Lookman, the team has only managed three goals in four World Cup qualifier matches. Poor finishing and ineffective service from midfield have cost them dearly, and Chelle will need to find a tactical solution quickly.
"Its desperate times" ?@V_Ikpeba tells the #HomeTurfBet9ja crew about the Super Eagles World Cup hopes ?
— Bet9ja: The home of #betBOOM! ? (@Bet9jaOfficial) March 5, 2025
Do you agree? ? pic.twitter.com/QFuEnleLbQ
The Play-off Route: A Risky Backup Plan
If Nigeria fails to top Group C, there is still a secondary path through the play-offs – but it is far from ideal.
The four best runners-up across all nine CAF groups will qualify for a CAF Play-off Tournament. This will be a mini-knockout competition, with one winner advancing to the Inter-Confederation Play-offs, where they will face teams from Asia, South America, Oceania, and North America.
In the inter-confederation play-offs, the six competing nations will be ranked according to FIFA’s rankings. The four lowest-ranked teams will play two single-elimination matches, with the winners moving on to face the two highest-ranked teams. The two final winners will book their places at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
This long and difficult path makes direct qualification the most realistic target for Nigeria. Relying on the play-offs is risky, as it would require navigating multiple high-pressure knockout games against top opposition from other continents.
Time for the Super Eagles to Step Up
Nigeria’s qualification campaign has reached a critical point. The next two matches against Rwanda and Zimbabwe will define their future, and anything less than six points will surely spell disaster. The return of Osimhen and some other key players should provide a boost, but the Super Eagles need to show immediate improvements on the pitch.
A second consecutive World Cup without Nigeria would be unthinkable for the country. The Super Eagles must find their best form to keep their fate in their own hands. The road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup is still open – but they must act fast to avoid another national heartbreak.
Fancy Éric Chelle to get our qualification campaign back on track against Rwanda on Friday? Bet on the game here!
