EXPLAINER: How Super Eagles can qualify for 2026 World Cup

Nigeria’s hopes of reaching the 2026 FIFA World Cup remain alive after a slim 2-1 victory over Lesotho on Friday, but the Super Eagles face a daunting task on the road to qualification.

The Super Eagles struggled to get a win against Lesotho, with captain William Troost-Ekong and Akor Adams finding the net to secure an important win.

Nigeria sit third in Group C with 14 points despite their win. South Africa are second with 15 points after drawing with Zimbabwe, while Benin Republic lead the group with 17 points.

The race for automatic qualification now goes down to the last group matches.

The Super Eagles face Benin Republic in their final group match on Tuesday, 14 October: a decisive showdown that could determine their World Cup fate.

Only a convincing win by at least two goals will keep their chances realistic, as goal difference could be crucial in determining the group winner.

Nigeria will also need a bit of help elsewhere. For Eric Chelle’s men to top the group, South Africa must either lose or draw against Rwanda in their final fixture. A South African win would all but end Nigeria’s chances of automatic qualification.

With only the group winners guaranteed a ticket to the 2026 World Cup, and the four best runners-up heading to the playoffs, every goal and point now matters.

The Super Eagles’ narrow win in Lesotho has reignited belief, but they’ll need both precision and a bit of luck in the final round if they are to return to football’s biggest stage after missing out on Qatar 2022.

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