2026 World Cup: Nigeria, South Africa, Benin, Three Others Battle For Slot

Nigeria’s Super Eagles  have been grouped in Group C of  the FIFA 2026 World Cup qualifiers following the draw that took place on Thursday evening in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire.

Nigeria have been grouped alongside South Africa, Benin Republic, Zimbabwe, Rwanda and Lesotho.

The three-time African champions will be seeking to qualify for the 7th time with their first participation being in 1994.

The West African side missed out on the last World Cup which was staged last year in Qatar having lost to the Black Stars of Ghana in the playoffs.

Nigeria will qualify automatically for the biggest Football competition if they finish first from their group at the end of the group games.

The first round of games is slated to take place between November 13-21 but it is unknown when the Super Eagles will play their first match.

The 2026 World Cup will be a special edition as it will be the biggest competition in its history with 48 teams participating and it will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Full draw:

Group A: Egypt, Burkina Faso, Guinea-Bissau, Sierra Leone, Ethiopia, Djibouti

Group B: Senegal, Congo DR, Mauritania, Togo, Sudan, South Sudan

Group C: Nigeria, South Africa, Benin, Zimbabwe, Rwanda, Lesotho

Group D: Cameroon, Cape Verde, Angola, Libya, Eswatini, Mauritius

Group E: Morocco, Zambia, Congo, Tanzania, Niger, Eritrea

Group F: Côte d’Ivoire, Gabon, Kenya, The Gambia, Burundi, Seychelles

Packaged by Lanre Olabisi