Aribo In, Iheanacho Out: Nigeria’s Final Squad Confirmed for the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers (CAF)
by Devesh Jaganath | by Devesh Jaganath
Super Eagles Face Uphill Battle for World Cup Qualification
After finishing as runners-up to the Ivory Coast in the Africa Cup of Nations last year, Nigeria entered the World Cup qualifiers as the favourites to top Group C, which features Rwanda, South Africa, Benin, Lesotho and Zimbabwe. However, things have not gone to plan for the African giants as yet.
With four rounds now complete, the Super Eagles are languishing in fifth place with just three points to their name and trail current group leaders Rwanda by four points. Eric Chelle’s side played out three consecutive draws in their first three matches against Lesotho, Zimbabwe and South Africa respectively, before suffering a 2-1 defeat to Benin in Abidjan in June last year.
While there are still six rounds of matches to go before the qualifiers are decided, the overwhelming consensus is that Nigeria need to win all of their remaining matches to remain in qualification contention. The Super Eagles will face Rwanda in Kigali on March 21 and Zimbabwe in Uyo four days later - both matches that could shape their destiny of reaching the World Cup.
You can keep up with all the action from the Super Eagles' upcoming games using our World Cup qualifier livescore tool right here on SportyTrader!
Chelle Makes Big Calls With Team Selection
Chelle released an expanded 39-man provisional squad for the upcoming qualifiers at the start of the month. However, that list was trimmed by 16 on Tuesday this week, meaning we now know who will represent the nation in their crucial round five and six matches over the next week.
The Super Eagles squad comprises three goal-keepers, six defenders, six midfielders and seven attacking players. Most of the team’s stars from across Europe, such as Victor Osimhen, Victor Boniface and Ademola Lookman, have been summoned by the head coach, though there are a few notable exclusions, none more so than that of Kelechi Iheanacho.
Other notable exclusions include the likes of Goztepe starlet Anthony Dennis and Southampton forward Paul Onuachu, while arguably the most surprising omissions are the duo of Ahmed Musa and the in-form Rangers attacker Cyriel Dessers. However, Tolu Arokodar, Moses Simon and Samuel Chukwueze have made the cut, giving the Super Eagles plenty of firepower for the upcoming matches.
Take a look at the latest World Cup qualifier odds ahead of Nigeria’s next two games!
Nigeria World Cup Qualifiers Squad
Goalkeepers
- Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United)
- Amas Obasogie (Singida Black Stars)
- Kayode Bankole (Remo Stars)
Defenders
- William Troost-Ekong (Al-Kholood)
- Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce)
- Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiacos)
- Calvin Bassey (Fulham)
- Ola Aina (Nottingham Forest)
- Igoh Ogbu (Slavia Prague)
Midfielders
- Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City)
- Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge)
- Alhassan Abdullahi (New England Revolution)
- Alex Iwobi (Fulham)
- Joseph Ayodele-Aribo (Southampton)
- Papa Daniel Mustapha (Niger Tornadoes)
Forwards
- Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan)
- Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray)
- Ademola Lookman (Atalanta BC)
- Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen)
- Moses Simon (Nantes)
- Sadiq Umar (Valencia)
- Nathan Tella (Bayer Leverkusen)
- Tolu Arokodare (Genk)
Don’t forget, SportyTrader will be providing our expert World Cup qualifier predictions throughout the campaign leading up to the tournament!
