Nigeria’s chances of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup have improved following the Confederation of African Football’s (CAF) decision to adjust the qualification criteria after Eritrea’s withdrawal from the competition.
Eritrea’s exit left Group E with only five teams instead of six, prompting CAF and FIFA to review how the best runners-up will be determined across all groups.
In a circular dated March 14, 2025, and signed by CAF’s Director of Tournaments and Events, Samson Adamu, the body announced that points earned against the bottom-placed team in each group will not count when ranking second-placed teams.
The change, made under Article 11.5 of the FIFA World Cup 2026 preliminary competition regulations, aims to ensure fairness in comparing teams from uneven groups.
If implemented, Burkina Faso, DR Congo, Madagascar, and Gabon could each lose six points, while Nigeria and Cameroon would benefit, potentially climbing higher in the standings.
For Nigeria, who currently sit outside the top spot after earning two points against Zimbabwe, the new rule could prove decisive.
With fixtures against Lesotho and Benin ahead, the Super Eagles will look to take advantage of the revised format and boost their qualification hopes after missing the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
CAF said the change was necessary to keep the qualification process balanced and fair despite unexpected team withdrawals.
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