2026 World Cup: Super Eagles’ Qualification Hopes Still Alive – NFF President

• NFF President Ibrahim Gusau optimistic despite Super Eagles’ slow start in World Cup qualifiers.
• Super Eagles sit fifth in Group C after three draws and one defeat.
• Gusau confident the team can recover and qualify for the 2026 World Cup.

Nigeria Football Federation President Ibrahim Gusau remains optimistic about the Super Eagles’ chances of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico, despite their disappointing start to the qualifiers.

Eko Hot Blog reports that currently sitting fifth in Group C after three draws and one defeat in four matches, the Super Eagles face an uphill battle.

In a statement outlining projections for 2025, Gusau acknowledged that the team’s subpar performance in the qualifiers has been a significant concern for administrators, fans, and football enthusiasts.

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However, he expressed confidence in the team’s ability to turn their fortunes around and secure a spot in the tournament.

“Our commitment is to see how we can cobble back that Super Eagles squad that did the nation proud at the AFCON in Ivory Coast, coming within 23 minutes of lifting the trophy.

“If we can find a way to do that, we can be sure that the target of winning the six remaining matches in the qualifiers to gain automatic qualification to the World Cup is achievable.

“Getting that FIFA World Cup ticket will set the momentum for a sterling outing at the AFCON in Morocco later in the year.”

Despite a strong start to 2024 at the 2023 AFCON in Ivory Coast, where the Super Eagles finished as runners-up, the team has struggled in their opening four matches of the World Cup qualifying series.

They began with consecutive draws against Lesotho (home), Zimbabwe, and South Africa (home) before suffering a 2-1 loss to Benin Republic.

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As a result, Nigeria sits on three points, trailing Rwanda, South Africa, and Benin Republic by four points, with Lesotho ahead on five points. The defeat to Benin Republic intensified internal issues, leading to the departure of head coach Finidi George. NFF Technical Director Austin Eguavoen has stepped in as interim coach, with a permanent appointment expected before the next round of qualifiers in March 2025.

The Super Eagles’ next fixtures include a trip to Kigali to face Rwanda, followed by a home clash against Zimbabwe.

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