The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has released the Super Eagles squad for the much-anticipated 2026 FIFA World Cup Playoffs scheduled to take place in Morocco, with several key names making a return to the team.
Head coach Eric Chelle named a strong 24-man list ahead of Nigeria’s decisive semi-final clash against Gabon, which will be played on November 13, 2025, in Rabat, Morocco. The winner will go on to face either Cameroon or DR Congo in the final playoff on November 16, with a ticket to the intercontinental playoffs at stake.
Big Returns for the Super Eagles
The major talking points from the squad include the return of Maduka Okoye, Chidera Ejuke, Bright Osayi-Samuel and Raphael Onyedika, all of whom have missed recent national team assignments for different reasons.
Okoye, who has been in fine form for Udinese since his return to action, returns to the goalkeeping lineup alongside Stanley Nwabali and Amas Obasogie. In midfield, Raphael Onyedika is back after recovering from an injury layoff, while Chidera Ejuke, currently enjoying an impressive run with Sevilla, adds creativity and width to the attacking options.
Leading the attack will be Victor Osimhen, who recently netted a historic UEFA Champions League hat-trick for Galatasaray, supported by Ademola Lookman, Moses Simon, Akor Adams, and Samuel Chukwueze.
The defensive setup also looks solid, with William Troost-Ekong, Calvin Bassey, Oluwasemilogo Ajayi and Sanusi Zaidu all included to provide experience and balance at the back.
Nigeria’s Path to Qualification
Nigeria secured their place in the playoff after finishing as one of the best runners-up in the African qualifiers. They now face a tricky test against Gabon, who have called up experienced players like Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Denis Bouanga.
A win for the Super Eagles would set up a final playoff meeting with the winner between Cameroon and DR Congo, with both games to be played at the Prince Heritier Moulay Al Hassan Stadium in Rabat.
Presenting the #SuperEagles squad for the FIFA World Cup Playoffs in Morocco! #SoarSuperEagles #Naija4TheWin #FIFAWCQ2026 pic.twitter.com/wPD6UKo2KS
— 🇳🇬 Super Eagles (@NGSuperEagles) November 8, 2025Full Squad List
Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa), Amas Obasogie (Singida Blackstars, Tanzania), Maduka Okoya (Udinese FC, Italy)
Defenders: William Ekong (Al-Kholood, Saudi Arabia), Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England), Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (Hull City, England), Bright Osayi-Samuel (Birmingham City, England), Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiakos, Greece), Chidozie Awaziem (Nantes FC, France), Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal), Benjamin Fredericks (Dender FC, Belgium)
Midfielders: Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England), Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England), Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi (New England Revolution, USA), Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas FC, Turkey), Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium)
Forwards: Ademola Lookman (Atalanta BC, Italy), Samuel Chukwueze (Fulham FC, England), Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray FC, Turkey), Simon Moses (Paris FC, France), Chidera Ejuke (Sevilla FC, Spain), Tolu Arokodare (Wolverhampton Wanderers, England), Akor Adams (Sevilla FC, Spain), Olakunle Olusegun (Pari Nizhny Novgorod, Russia)
The players are scheduled to fly into Morocco from their different bases in Europe and elsewhere, to converge in Rabat on Monday, 10th November.
