The Super Eagles of Nigeria have been drawn into a challenging group for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, News About Nigeria reports.
The draw took place in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire, on Thursday, and Nigeria faces a tough path to redemption after failing to qualify for the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Ghana’s Black Stars secured the coveted Qatar 2022 ticket, narrowly edging out Nigeria on the away goal rule after a goalless draw in Cape Coast and a 1-1 stalemate in Abuja.
Now, Nigeria finds itself in a group alongside South Africa, Benin Republic (now under the guidance of Gernot Rohr, who previously led the Super Eagles in the Copa du Mundo), as well as Lesotho, Rwanda, and Zimbabwe, as they strive for the 2026 World Cup.
Emerging victorious in their group is crucial for automatic qualification, as the group winners secure their place in the World Cup.
Meanwhile, the four best group runners-up will compete in a play-off stage to determine Africa’s representative in the inter-confederation tournament scheduled for March 2026.
Excitement will continue to build as the first round of fixtures for the African qualifiers kicks off in November.
During the draw, other notable teams discovered their group placements. Morocco, who reached the semifinals in the previous World Cup, finds itself in Group E alongside Zambia, Congo Brazzaville, Tanzania, Niger, and Eritrea.
Egypt is expected to have a smooth ride in Group A, as they will compete against Burkina Faso, Guinea-Bissau, Sierra Leone, Ethiopia, and Djibouti.
Senegal joins forces with the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mauritania, Togo, Sudan, and South Sudan in Group B.
The draw ceremony, held after the general assembly of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), also revealed the composition of the remaining groups.
Group D comprises Cameroun, Cape Verde, Angola, Libya, Eswatini, and Mauritius, while Group F features Cote d’Ivoire, Gabon, Kenya, Gambia, Burundi, and Seychelles.
Algeria, Guinea, Uganda, Mozambique, Botswana, and Somalia form Group G.
Group H includes Tunisia, Equatorial Guinea, Namibia, Malawi, Liberia, and Sao Tome and Principe, while Group I consists of Mali, Ghana, Madagascar, Central African Republic, Comoros, and Chad.
