By Jacob Ajom

Nigeria’s hopes of reaching the 2026 FIFA World Cup are hanging by a thread.

The Africa Cup of Nations runners-up are winless in their first four matches in CAF Group C, with a 2-1 loss to Benin last time out following three consecutive draws.

Overall, the Super Eagles are winless in their past seven World Cup Qualifiers, a remarkable drought that stretches back to November 2021.

That campaign ended with an away-goal defeat to Ghana in the playoffs and they might not even make it that far this time around.

However, Nigeria’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers in the latter part of 2024 had seen some morale restored among the players. This is before World Cup qualification resumes in March 2025. Caretaker boss Augustine Eguavoen was overseeing these games following the acrimonious exit of Finidi George, and while results had been decent until now, the real test will come when those CAF qualifiers resume.

The big question remains, can Nigeria still qualify for the 2026 World Cup?

Yes, Nigeria can still reach the finals to be staged across the United States, Canada and Mexico. All is not lost just yet, although there is a fast-closing window of opportunity.

The Super Eagles lie fifth in the six-team Group C on three points. On the face of it, that’s a dismal state of affairs, but they are only four points behind second-placed South Africa. In turn, Bafana Bafana are only behind leaders Rwanda on goal difference.

Nigeria have six games remaining to turn the ship around, with teams playing one another home and away during the group phase.

The winners of CAF’s nine groups qualify automatically for the World Cup, with the four best runners-up entering the playoff route.

How many African teams will qualify for the 2026 World Cup?

Nine African teams are guaranteed spots at the 2026 World Cup, with the possibility of a 10th taking part.

After the nine group winners from CAF qualification progress automatically, the four best runners-up will contest a playoff to decide which team advances to the inter-confederation eliminator round.

One representative from each confederation, except for UEFA and with two from CONCACAF as the host federation, will contest the six-team playoff.

The two highest-ranked teams according to FIFA’s world rankings will be seeded for the playoff, which will decide the final two qualifiers for the World Cup.

The seeded teams will face the winners of two semifinalists featuring the four unseeded teams for a place at the tournament.

In a bid to deepen the conversation on Nigeria’ s chances, Sports Vanguard sought the views of Nigerians on what they think about Nigeria’ s qualification chances.

Our history is enough motivation for our players – Ojobo

As regards your position that Nigeria may not qualify for the FIFA 2026 World Cup, I candidly disagree… let’s explore why I disagree a bit.

Nigeria has a vast and talented pool of players, many of whom are already making waves in top European leagues, not to mention the number of biracial Nigerians players who are willing to buy into the Nigerian brand. Also, not forgetting that we are a traditional world side from Africa, the history is enough motivation to qualify.

Let’s not forget the current level of star power that we have, from Victor Osimhen doing impossible things at Galatasaray, Ademola Lookman in a divine form and winning the CAF player of the year, Victor Boniface standing tall and the likes of Simon Moses, Captain Troost Ekong, Ndidi, Awoniyi et al who will comfortably walk into the first eleven of any African country right now, making it the most competitive dressing room right now.

Nigeria under the new coach who we have seen with his Malian side will go far because he is a coach with a playing philosophy. We will go as far as quarter finals of the World cup with the mentality we have in the team right now, and this was confirmed by Captain Troost as they recently had a meeting that states they play for the trophy no matter who coaches them.

Abah Ojobo, Abuja

Chelle brings fresh perspective to the campaign – Badmus

I strongly disagree with the notion that Nigeria may not qualify for the 2026 World Cup. Despite recent underwhelming performances, the Super Eagles have a rich history of resilience and determination.

The appointment of Eric Chelle as the new coach brings fresh perspective and tactical acumen. His experience coaching in Africa will prove invaluable in navigating the challenges of qualifying for the World Cup.

Moreover, the team’s struggles on the pitch can be attributed to transitional phases and injuries to key players. With a fully fit squad and cohesive team dynamics, the Super Eagles are more than capable of overcoming their current slump.

South Africa’s strong performance in our group is not insurmountable. Nigeria has a talented pool of players, and with the right coaching and team chemistry, we can outperform our rivals.

I firmly believe that Nigeria will qualify for the 2026 World Cup. With determination, hard work, and a bit of luck, the Super Eagles will soar to new heights and make the nation proud. We just need to have faith in the team and the coaching staff.

Bodunde Michael Tenabe wrote from NIEPA in Ondo City.

Super Eagles are come-back kings – Williams

As a nation with an enviable football pedigree, dismissing Nigeria’s chances of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be premature. The Super Eagles, Africa’s perennial football powerhouse, have all the ingredients to secure a spot in the expanded tournament.

First, Nigeria possesses one of the most talented squads in African football. With Victor Osimhen, the 2023 Serie A top scorer, leading the attack, alongside creative forces like Samuel Chukwueze and Wilfred Ndidi in midfield, the team has the skill and fire power to dominate opponents. Recent performances in qualifiers and friendlies have underscored the squad’s hunger and tactical evolution under coach Jose Peseiro.

Additionally, the increase in African slots to nine for the 2026 tournament dramatically enhances Nigeria’s prospects. Historically, the Super Eagles have been consistent qualifiers, appearing in six of the last eight World Cups since 1994. Their ability to thrive under pressure has been a hallmark of their success, demonstrated by memorable comebacks in past qualification campaigns.

Beyond talent and opportunity, the team’s unwavering support from millions of passionate fans provides an emotional advantage. Nigerian football thrives on energy, and the Super Eagles rarely falter when buoyed by their supporters.

Nigeria’s path to the World Cup is bolstered by its rich history, elite talent, and favorable qualification dynamics. To suggest otherwise ignores the essence of a team that has proven time and again that it belongs on football’s grandest stage.

Obafemi Williams wrote in from Ibadan, Oyo State

Nigeria ‘ll not qualify for World Cup – Pudigha Disi

I, Chief Alex Pudigha Disi agrees with the assertion that Nigeria’s Super Eagles may not qualify for the 2026 World Cup. Two reasons attest to this. One, you don’t change a winning team. The Super Eagles under coach Eguavon have not just shown character, but have exhibited resilience by qualifying for the Nation’s cup competition. The Nigerian Football Federation should have shown more patriotism by retaining Eguavoen and giving him all the support it would give to a foreign coach to succeed. With this sudden change, the team is likely to be destabilized by the coach wanting to introduce at least a slightly new playing system with an inevitable quest for new players to fit into this new approach.

Secondly, this sudden change in leadership of the team’s coaching crew will certainly invoke among players, other team officials and Nigerians, inevitable thoughts of ethnicity and likely accruable benefits NFF Officials are going to make for reasons behind the change. This certainly is not good for the health and cohesion of the team. There is a popular saying that if you want to eat a toad, go for the freshest and most juicy one so that you can proudly say yes, I ate it. If we must employ a foreign coach, should we go for a less known African coach like the one we have just employed? Yes, thoughts of this nature and other attendant destabilizing factors can’t help but destroy the Super Eagles’ prospects of qualification for the 2026 World Cup.

Disi is a retired DSS Director residing in Agudama-Epie, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State

It’s dicey – Sports journalists

Sports journalists too were not left out in our quest to feel the pulse among Nigerians as it concerns the country’s fate as it relates to the 2026 World Cup ticket. We took on the Deputy Sports Editor of the Guardian Newspapers, Gowon Akpodonor.

He was realistic, saying, “As bleak as the situation looks, this is football, anything can happen,” adding that “It is very easy to conclude that Nigeria will find it difficult to qualify because, having three points from four matches does not tell good about us.”

Femi Ashaolu, a sports reporter with Complete Sports said, “I think it is going to be very difficult with four points off the top of the table. I remember what Rwanda did to us during the last qualifier for the AFCON. The players too may have to go to Rwanda and get us a good result”

Okoroji Chidozie, Assistant Sports Manager, Cool Fm, Wazobia FM and Nigeria Info insisted that there was still a chance for the Super Eagles to qualify.

“There is a fighter’s chance, like they say in boxing. I know that we didn’t start well, we didn’t put our best step forward at the start of the qualifiers because it was all about Jose Peseiro before Finidi took over. We also didn’t have the best results, especially that loss to Benin and the draws with Lesotho and South Africa in Uyo.”

Duro Ikhazuagbe, Sports Editor, ThisDay Newspapers said, “It’s a tough one, I won’t lie to you. But yes, mathematically, I think we still have a chance. However, we need to face the reality of the dire situation which we are in at the moment – the situation of having three points from four matches as against the front runners Rwanda, South Africa and Benin. What that translates to is that we cannot afford to drop any point in our remaining matches.

The question I want to ask the Nigeria Football Federation, the coach and the players is, what magic are they going to perform to pull this through, given the attitude of the players, the manner in which they have prosecuted previous matches in the qualifiers,” he said, adding, “I am asking these questions given what the World Cup means to Nigerians.”

Former Director General of the National Broadcasting Commission, Dr Danladi Bako agrees with Duro as he observed that the current Super Eagles don’t seem to be in sync with the feelings of Nigerians. Said he, “The Super Eagles players don’t understand the passion that was driving the likes of Stephen Keshi, Humphrey Edobor, Henry Nwosu, Segun Odegbami, Muda Lawal. They don’t understand the passion.”

Okoroji echoed, “My biggest concern now is whenever Victor Osimhen is not in the team we don’t seem to do well. Whenever he is absent, the Super Eagles struggle but when he is in the team and he is on form we probably can be sure of a draw or we win. I think that mentality has to change. We really need to score goals, where will the goals come from, if Osimhen is injured(God forbid). If we can deal with that, link up play between the midfield and fortify our defence so as not to concede goals, I feel we can achieve our goal.

Describing the delicate position of Nigeria in the qualifiers as precarious, Akpodonor said, “it is not 50-50 now but 80-20. Our chances of qualifying are just 20 percent, while others have an 80 per cent chance. However, football is like biscuits, it can break at the least expected point.”

Dr Bako believes Nigeria can still qualify. But for that to happen, the players must change their attitude and be more patriotic.

“First they have to work on their loyalty to the nation; they see their clubs as more important than their country. They are not ready to work hard enough. If we get all those things right, we can qualify. All we need is to make sure we win all your matches. Nobody is going to wait for you to beat him, you must work hard for it.”