The Super Eagles of Nigeria have taken a big step toward qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after defeating Gabon 4–1 in the semi-final of the African play-off mini-tournament on Thursday evening in Rabat, Morocco.
The result means Nigeria is now one win away from reaching the intercontinental play-offs, where the top African team from this stage will face opponents from another continent for a ticket to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
The Super Eagles qualified for this play-off stage as one of the best runners-up in the main African qualifying series. They finished second in Group C, behind South Africa, who secured the automatic World Cup qualification spot.
For Nigeria, this tournament represents a second chance after narrowly missing out on direct qualification. The team’s recent improvement in form under Eric Chelle has renewed hope among fans that the Super Eagles can return to the global stage after missing the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Nigeria will now face either Cameroon or DR Congo in the play-off final to determine who will progress to the intercontinental play-off next year. The winner of that tie will compete against teams from other continents — possibly from South America, Asia, or Oceania — for one of the remaining spots at the 2026 World Cup.
With the Super Eagles now just two matches away from a World Cup return, expectations among Nigerians are rising once again. For many fans, Thursday’s 4–1 victory is more than just a win — it is a statement of intent.
