The head coach of the Super Eagles, Eric Chelle, has unveiled his provisional 31 man squad ahead of Nigeria’s upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and South Africa. The squad features established stars such as William Troost-Ekong, Ademola Lookman, and Victor Osimhen, alongside 28 other players who will be competing for a place in the final team. This announcement has already sparked excitement among fans eager to see how the team will line up for these crucial encounters.
Nigeria will open their qualifying campaign with a home fixture against Rwanda at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on September 6th, 2025. Just three days later, the Super Eagles will travel to Bloemfontein for a much anticipated clash against the Bafana Bafana of South Africa at the Toyota Stadium. Both fixtures are seen as pivotal matches that could set the tone for Nigeria’s qualification journey, given the fierce rivalry and competitive nature of African World Cup qualifiers.
From the provisional squad, only 23 players will make the final cut, as Coach Chelle evaluates performances in camp before making his final decision. With high profile stars and emerging talents all eager to impress, fans and analysts alike are watching closely to see which players secure their spots. For many, the bigger question remains: will this squad have what it takes to lead Nigeria towards another successful World Cup qualification campaign.