Nigeria is facing a daunting possibility of not qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup set to be held across the United States, Mexico, and Canada next summer. The Super Eagles, esteemed for their talent among African teams, will clash with Benin on Tuesday at noon ET in a decisive match for their World Cup aspirations. Currently sitting in third place in Group C of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Confederation of African Football (CAF) first round with 14 points, Nigeria trails Benin, who leads the group with 17 points.
Additionally, the Nigerian national team’s recent flight from South Africa had to make an emergency landing in Angola, as reported by the Nigerian media. The flight, en route from Polokwane in South Africa to Nigeria, encountered a severe crack on the aircraft’s windshield shortly after takeoff, prompting the aircraft to return to Angola.
Nigeria’s Path to Qualification
If Nigeria loses on Tuesday, their World Cup hopes will be extinguished—a detrimental outcome given the quality of their players. Winning is imperative for Nigeria, but victory might not secure their spot directly.
Currently, Benin tops Group C by three points with a two-goal lead in goal difference. If Nigeria can defeat Benin significantly, coupled with a South Africa loss against Rwanda, there’s a theoretical chance for Nigeria to lead the group by the end.
South Africa currently faces a three-point deduction by FIFA, complicating their path and leaving the door open for Nigeria’s automatic qualification.
Should Rwanda fail to assist Nigeria, a win could still keep their hopes alive by positioning them for further qualification rounds. The top four second-place teams from the nine qualifying groups will enter a knockout phase to vie for spots in the intercontinental playoff. Thus, Nigeria’s route involves securing a win, hoping for favorable results from other games, or positioning themselves among the top four runners-up.
CAF Group C Standings
| Rank | Club | MP | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Benin | 9 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 12 | 7 | 5 | 17 |
| 2 | South Africa | 9 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 12 | 9 | 3 | 15 |
| 3 | Nigeria | 9 | 3 | 5 | 1 | 11 | 8 | 3 | 14 |
| 4 | Lesotho | 10 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 9 | 12 | -3 | 12 |
| 5 | Rwanda | 9 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 6 | -1 | 11 |
| 6 | Zimbabwe | 10 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 12 | -7 | 5 |
