October 14, (THEWILL) — Nigeria will learn the identity of their World Cup play-off opponents when FIFA publishes its next rankings on October 23. The Super Eagles earned a qualification lifeline after thrashing Benin 4-0 in Uyo on Tuesday, with Victor Osimhen scoring three times and Frank Onyeka adding a crucial fourth goal in stoppage time. The victory moved Nigeria into second place in Group C, behind South Africa who qualified automatically.
The CAF play-off system will feature four teams competing in a mini tournament scheduled for Morocco in November. Nigeria and Cameroon have already confirmed their places, whilst the remaining two spots will be filled by either Gabon or Ivory Coast and either Burkina Faso or DR Congo. All four sides will contest the semi-finals on November 13, before the final takes place three days later on November 16.
The semi-final draw will be determined by FIFA world rankings rather than a random draw. The highest-ranked team among the four qualifiers will face the lowest-ranked side, whilst the second and third-ranked nations will meet in the other semi-final. This format means Nigeria’s league position in the global standings will directly influence their route through the competition.
Only one African nation will emerge from the Morocco tournament to reach the inter-continental play-off round in March 2026. That single qualifier will then compete for a place at the World Cup finals, which will be hosted across the United States, Canada and Mexico. The tournament represents an expanded 48-team format offering African nations more opportunities to qualify.
Eric Chelle’s team produced their finest performance of the qualifying campaign at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium. Although second place denied them automatic qualification, the result keeps alive their hopes of reaching a seventh World Cup finals. Morocco will host the decisive matches at venues yet to be confirmed by the Confederation of African Football.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
