2026 FIFA World Cup: Amaju Pinnick Confident Super Eagles Will Qualify

• Former NFF president Amaju Pinnick is confident the Super Eagles will qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup
• The Super Eagles of Nigeria are in a difficult position, six points behind South Africa, with four games left
• Nigeria missed out on the 2022 edition in Qatar after losing the playoffs to rivals Ghana on away goals

Former President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick, remains confident that the Super Eagles will qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Nigeria faces the prospect of missing out on consecutive World Cups as they sit in a difficult spot with their position on the qualifying table.

The Super Eagles have seven points from the opening six matches, six points behind South Africa, who have a pending three-point deduction hanging over them, for fielding the ineligible Teboho Mokoena in their 2-0 win over Lesotho.

In the six matches the Super Eagles have played in the qualifying series, three head coaches have managed the team in two matches each.

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AFCON finalist Jose Peseiro kick-started the qualifying campaign with draws against Lesotho and Zimbabwe during the November 2023 international break.

Finidi George, during his short spell, drew 1-1 against South Africa before losing 2-1 to Benin Republic, managed by Gernot Rohr, during the June 2025 break.

As noted by the NFF, Eric Chelle came in with high expectations and boosted Nigerian’s hopes by winning his first game 2-0 against Rwanda in Kigali, before a 1-1 draw against Zimbabwe in Uyo undid the good start.

It is still a mathematical possibility to qualify for the tournament, particularly with a possible three-point hanging over South Africa, which the Eagles still have to face.

Pinnick confident Nigeria will qualify for 2026 World Cup

Former NFF president Amaju Pinnick is not losing hope that Nigeria's flag will be among the 48 nations hoisted at the World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico next year.

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He referred to the 2018 World Cup in Russia, during his time as the NFF President, which the Super Eagles qualified for despite being drawn in the “group of death”.

“The truth is, never say never until the final whistle. I know Nigeria’s mentality. In 2018, nobody gave us a chance,” Pinnick told Brila.

“Cameroon were defending champions, Algeria were unbeaten in nearly 20 games, and Zambia were strong, but we qualified. That’s why I still keep the faith with this team.”

The qualifiers will resume next month, and the Eagles' fate could be decided when they face Rwanda in Uyo and South Africa in Johannesburg.

Anything short of a win in both games, particularly against South Africa, to stop them from extending their lead at the top of the table, will mean no World Cup for Nigeria.

Chelle rates Super Eagles' chances

Legit.ng previously reported that Eric Chelle rated Nigeria's chances of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after seven points from six matches.

The Franco-Malian manager believes his team remains in the frame to qualify, and only have to win their remaining four games while other results favour them.

Source: Legit.ng