Super Eagles Get Massive World Cup Boost From FIFA Ahead of Playoff vs Gabon
- The Super Eagles have been handed a massive advantage ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup playoffs
- Nigeria has been listed as the highest-ranked team going into the playoffs for the Mundial ticket
- Nigeria qualified for the World Cup playoffs after finishing second in Group C behind South Africa
Nigeria’s hopes of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup received a major boost following the latest FIFA rankings.
The three-time AFCON winners fought hard to reach the playoffs on the final day of the group stage with a 4-0 win over Benin, despite a poor start during the qualifying campaign.
A hat-trick from Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen and a goal from Brentford defender Frank Onyeka saw Nigeria finish second in the CAF qualification Group C to displace Burkina Faso on the playoffs table.
Source: Getty Images
Super Eagles could have gotten the automatic ticket if the Amavubi of Rwanda had secured a victory against South Africa, but they lost 3-0 in Mbombela, according to Fox Sports.
FIFA release rankings ahead of WC playoffs
The Super Eagles will take on the Panthers of Gabon, while Cameroon meets DR Congo in the second tie. Both matches are set for November 13, with the winners clashing three days later for Africa’s final inter-confederation play-off slot.
The inter-confederation play-offs, scheduled for March 2026 in Mexico, will feature six teams from around the world, one each from Africa, Asia, South America, and Oceania, alongside two more from North America and Central America.
According to Score Nigeria, Nigeria is currently the highest-ranked team and will play only one match at the Intercontinental Playoffs in March.
The Super Eagles are ranked 45th, Costa Rica is placed 47th, the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon sit in 52nd, and the Lions of Mesopotamia of Iraq are 58th.
Meanwhile, the Leopards of DR Congo are 60th, the Falcons of the UAE are 67th, the Reggae Boyz of Jamaica are 69th, the Green Condors of Bolivia are 77th, the Panthers of Gabon are 79th, Curacao are 86th, and New Caledonia are ranked 150th, according to FIFA.
Source: Getty Images
Lookman in, Semi Ajayi out vs Gabon
Meanwhile, Atalanta star Ademola Lookman is set to return as the Super Eagles face Gabon in their crucial playoffs on November 13.
The reigning CAF Player of the Year picked up his second yellow card against Lesotho, which prevented him from featuring against the Benin Republic in their last 2026 World Cup qualifying match at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium.
Meanwhile, Semi Ajayi is suspended for the playoff after picking up a yellow card against Benin.
The Hull City defender, who is returning from injury, picked up his first yellow card against Lesotho in 2023.
Senegalese players throw jibes at Super Eagles
Legit.ng earlier reported that Senegal internationals Pape Gueye and Moussa Niakhate jabbed the Super Eagles after the Teranga Lions qualified for the playoffs at the expense of Burkina Faso.
As seen in a post on Instagram, Villarreal star Gueye was seen showing his teammates which nations were billed to face each other during the playoffs, sparking mixed reactions online.
Proofreading by Bruce Douglas, copy editor at Legit.ng.
Source: Legit.ng
