Despite a commanding 4-0 triumph over Benin Republic in Uyo on Tuesday evening, Nigeria’s Super Eagles have missed out on direct qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, as reported by Soccernet.ng.
Victor Osimhen delivered a remarkable performance, netting a brilliant hat-trick at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, marking a disappointing end to Gernot Rohr’s return.
However, this impressive win fell short of surpassing South Africa, who secured a 3-0 victory against Rwanda in Mbombela, finishing atop Group C by a narrow one-point margin.
South Africa’s win marks their return to the World Cup stage for the first time since hosting the event in 2010. For Nigeria, who were absent from Qatar 2022, the journey continues, but their ambitions remain alive.
A crucial late goal from Brentford’s Frank Onyeka might be remembered as one of the most pivotal moments in recent Nigerian football history. His stoppage-time strike ensured the Super Eagles secured a spot among the four best runners-up in African qualifying, edging Burkina Faso on goal difference after both teams ended with equal points.
Burkina Faso may feel aggrieved, as the exclusion of results against sixth-placed teams-due to Eritrea’s withdrawal from Group A-affected the calculation of the best runners-up.
Now, Nigeria will join Cameroon, DR Congo, and Gabon in the African play-offs, which will determine the continent’s representative for the inter-confederation World Cup play-offs scheduled for March 2026 in Mexico.
Nigeria 4-0 Benin
Osimhen rescues Nigeria’s World Cup aspirations with a hat trick against Benin Republic in Uyo. #NGABEN pic.twitter.com/vquuiHnkyv– Soccernet.ng (@soccernet_ng) October 14, 2025
Cameroon, DR Congo, and Gabon Join Nigeria in the African Play-offs
Alongside Nigeria, three other prominent African teams who narrowly missed direct qualification will compete in the crucial play-offs.
Gabon secured second place in Group F behind Ivory Coast after a 2-0 win over Burundi, but Ivory Coast’s victory against Kenya confirmed their top spot.
DR Congo clinched the runners-up position in Group B, edging out Sudan, while Cameroon finished second in Group D. The final round saw Cameroon and Libya draw their matches, paving the way for Cape Verde to make history by qualifying for their inaugural World Cup.
This island nation achieved a remarkable feat, becoming the second-smallest country after Iceland to reach the World Cup finals.
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Potential Semi-final Clash: Super Eagles vs. Gabon
The play-off matchups, to be finalized following the FIFA World Rankings update on October 23, will pit the highest-ranked runner-up against the lowest-ranked, and the second-highest against the third.
Currently, Nigeria, ranked 45th, stands as the highest-ranked among the four, setting up a one-off semi-final against Gabon, ranked 79th, on November 13 in Morocco. Meanwhile, Cameroon (52nd) will face DR Congo (60th) in the other semi-final on the same day.
The winners from these encounters will clash in the final on November 16, also hosted in Morocco.
The ultimate winner will advance to the inter-confederation play-offs in Mexico next March, where one African team will compete against representatives from Asia, South America, Oceania, and North America for a coveted spot at the 2026 World Cup.
Africa’s Confirmed Direct Qualifiers
So far, nine African nations have secured their places at the 2026 World Cup in North America by topping their respective groups: Egypt, Senegal, South Africa, Cape Verde, Morocco, Ivory Coast, Algeria, Tunisia, and Ghana.
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