Nigeria’s Super Eagles are staring at a possible early exit from the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers after slipping to fourth place in Group C, six points adrift of leaders South Africa with just four matches to go.
The three-time African champions, who have featured in six of the last seven World Cups, now face a daunting task: they must defeat Rwanda at home and secure maximum points away against Bafana Bafana to keep their hopes alive. Only group winners are guaranteed an automatic ticket to the finals in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Elsewhere, continental giants are thriving. Egypt, buoyed by a five-point lead in their group, are firmly on course for qualification, while Morocco remain flawless with five wins out of five, reinforcing their status as Africa’s top-ranked team.
The drama extends beyond these heavyweights. Cape Verde, Cameroon, Ghana, and Algeria are locked in tight contests for top spots, while some nations are eyeing the inter-confederation playoffs reserved for the best runners-up across groups.
The stakes could not be higher. For Nigeria, failure to qualify would be a national shock, echoing the painful absence from the 2022 Qatar edition. For others, the coming fixtures will determine whether Africa’s brightest talents shine on football’s grandest stage.
