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Super Eagles Provisional Squad for 2026 World Cup Qualifiers
The journey to secure a spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, set to take place in Canada, Mexico, and the USA, continues in this crucial FIFA window. For many teams, these qualifiers are an opportunity to move closer to the world’s most prestigious football tournament and assert dominance on the global stage.
The Super Eagles of Nigeria, three-time African Cup of Nations (AFCON) champions, have unveiled their provisional 39-man squad for the upcoming qualifiers against Rwanda and Zimbabwe. This list will be trimmed to 23 players in the coming days as injuries and other factors are assessed.
Key Inclusions and Recalls
The squad features established stars such as current and former African Player of the Year winners Ademola Lookman and Victor Osimhen, alongside vice-captain William Troost-Ekong, Alex Iwobi, and Wilfred Ndidi. Notable recalls include captain Ahmed Musa, Leon Balogun, and Nathan Tella, who return after periods of absence due to form or injuries.
Head coach Eric Chelle has also introduced six new players to the squad, blending experience with fresh talent. Among them are home-based players Papa Mustapha (Niger Tornadoes), Kayode Bankole (Remo Stars), and Ifeanyi Emmanuel Onyebuchi (Enugu Rangers).
Upcoming Fixtures
Nigeria will face Rwanda in Kigali on March 21 before hosting Zimbabwe in Uyo on March 25. The Super Eagles currently sit four points behind Rwanda at the top of their group. These matches will test Eric Chelle’s credentials as head coach, following Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the last World Cup after being eliminated by Ghana on away goals.
To secure maximum points from both fixtures, the Super Eagles must deliver top performances and win convincingly.
Full Provisional Squad
Goalkeepers
- Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa)
- Maduka Okoye (Udinese, Italy)
- Amas Obasogie (Singida Black Stars, Tanzania)
- Adeleye Adebayo (Enosis Neon Paralimni, Cyprus)
- Kayode Bankole (Remo Stars, Nigeria)
Defenders
- William Troost-Ekong (Al Khalood, Saudi Arabia)
- Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce, Turkey)
- Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiacos, Greece)
- Gabriel Osho (AJ Auxerre, France)
- Calvin Bassey (Fulham, England)
- Ola Aina (Nottingham Forest, England)
- Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal)
- Igoh Ogbu (Slavia Prague, Czech Republic)
- Jordan Torunarigha (Gent, Belgium)
- Ifeanyi Onyebuchi (Enugu Rangers, Nigeria)
Midfielders
- Papa Daniel Mustapha (Niger Tornadoes, Nigeria)
- Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England)
- Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium)
- Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi (New England Revolution, USA)
- Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (SS Lazio, Italy)
- Frank Onyeka (Augsburg, Germany)
- Alex Iwobi (Fulham, England)
- Joseph Ayodele-Aribo (Southampton, England)
- Anthony Dennis (Goztepe, Turkey)
- Christantus Uche (Getafe, Spain)
Forwards
- Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy)
- Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray, Turkey)
- Ademola Lookman (Atalanta, Italy)
- Kelechi Iheanacho (Middlesbrough, England)
- Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany)
- Moses Simon (Nantes, France)
- Sadiq Umar (Valencia CF, Spain)
- Nathan Tella (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany)
- Cyriel Dessers (Rangers FC, Scotland)
- Tolu Arokodare (KRC Genk, Belgium)
- Chidera Ejuke (Sevilla FC, Spain)
- Paul Onuachu (Southampton FC, England)
- Ahmed Musa (Kano Pillars FC, Nigeria)
- Akor Adams (Sevilla FC, Spain)
This squad reflects a balance of seasoned veterans and emerging talents as Nigeria seeks redemption in their World Cup qualification campaign. Fans eagerly await the trimmed final list and hope for strong performances in the upcoming matches.
