Nigeria National Football Team Guide 2026

GUIDES · NIGERIA

The Nigeria national football team enters late 2026 rebuilding after missing the World Cup in North America. This guide covers the coach, the players, the ranking and the road to AFCON 2027.

Nigeria’s Super Eagles are one of Africa’s most decorated teams, with three continental titles. They missed the 2026 World Cup, lost their federation leadership in August 2026 and now chase a single AFCON 2027 ticket.

Nigeria National Football Team at a Glance

The Super Eagles are governed by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), which picks the coach and organises home matches. The team has won the Africa Cup of Nations three times, according to the NFF.

The titles came at home in 1980, in Tunisia in 1994 and in South Africa in 2013.

Nigeria have played at six FIFA World Cups since their debut in the United States in 1994. They reached the Round of 16 in three of those six appearances.

On debut they topped a group that included Argentina, the NFF notes.

Third place is a Nigerian speciality. The bronze won in Morocco in January 2026 was the team’s ninth, a tournament record.

Egypt are next with six.

Who Coaches the Super Eagles

Éric Chelle, a Franco-Malian coach, took charge in January 2025, in the middle of a faltering World Cup qualifying campaign. In his first year he led Nigeria through 17 competitive matches without a defeat, winning 11 and drawing six, the NFF says.

That run ended on Tuesday 29 September 2026, when Guinea-Bissau beat Nigeria 3-0 in Bissau in AFCON qualifying. It was Chelle’s first competitive defeat in normal time; earlier exits came on penalties.

A week later, on Tuesday 6 October 2026, Chelle sent a heavily rotated squad to a friendly against Russia in Nizhny Novgorod. Nigeria twice came from behind to draw 3-3, and nine players made their senior debut, according to the NFF match report.

Key Players as of October 2026

The NFF’s squad for the September 2026 qualifiers gives the clearest picture of the core group. Midfielder Wilfred Ndidi (Beşiktaş, Turkey) is captain, with Alex Iwobi (Fulham) and Frank Onyeka (Coventry City) beside him.

Raphael Onyedika (Eintracht Frankfurt) adds cover.

In attack, Ademola Lookman (Atlético Madrid), Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan), Akor Adams (Venezia) and Moses Simon (Paris FC) lead the options. Simon won his 100th cap against Madagascar on 25 September 2026.

Tolu Arokodare (Ajax) and Taiwo Awoniyi (Coventry City) also featured in the squad. Striker Victor Osimhen, assistant captain at AFCON 2025, missed the September qualifiers, the NFF said.

At the back, Calvin Bassey (Fulham), Ola Aina (Nottingham Forest), Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiacos) and Semi Ajayi (Hull City) are the regulars. Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa) and Maduka Okoye (Udinese) compete for the goalkeeper’s jersey.

New faces are arriving fast. Saudi-based forward George Ilenikhena and Austria-based Moses Usor both scored on debut against Madagascar.

Nineteen-year-old Peter Edokpolor scored on debut against Russia.

Why Nigeria Missed the 2026 World Cup

Nigeria did not qualify for the 2026 World Cup, which the United States, Canada and Mexico hosted in June and July 2026. It was the team’s second World Cup miss in a row, after 2022.

The decisive night was Sunday 16 November 2025 in Rabat, Morocco, when Nigeria and DR Congo drew 1-1 after extra time in the African play-off final. DR Congo won a sudden-death penalty shootout.

They went on to reach the finals, where Portugal were their first opponents.

The NFF later petitioned FIFA over the eligibility of several DR Congo players. FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee rejected the petition, and on 17 March 2026 the NFF said it had begun an appeal.

Spain went on to win the tournament, and FIFA now lists them as world champions.

Africa Cup of Nations Record

The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) is Africa’s championship, run by the Confederation of African Football (CAF). Nigeria have won it three times and finished third nine times.

At AFCON 2025, played in Morocco from December 2025 to January 2026, Nigeria reached the semi-finals. Hosts Morocco beat them 4-2 on penalties in Rabat on Wednesday 14 January 2026 after 120 minutes without a winner.

Three days later, in Casablanca, Nigeria beat Egypt 4-2 on penalties for the bronze medals. Goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali saved the first two Egyptian kicks, from Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush, the NFF reported.

The AFCON 2027 Qualifying Race and Next Fixtures

AFCON 2027 will be co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda from 19 June to 17 July 2027. The qualifying draw in Cairo on 19 May 2026 put Nigeria in Group L with Madagascar, Tanzania and Guinea-Bissau.

Tanzania qualify automatically as a co-host, so only one other team from Group L reaches the finals, the NFF says. That makes every match against Guinea-Bissau and Madagascar close to a knockout tie.

Nigeria beat Madagascar 2-1 in Uyo on Friday 25 September 2026, then lost 3-0 in Bissau four days later. After two rounds Guinea-Bissau lead with six points, Nigeria have three, and Madagascar and Tanzania one each.

Next come two games against Tanzania’s Taifa Stars: Uyo on Friday 13 November 2026, then Dar es Salaam on Tuesday 17 November. Read more: Nigeria Beat Madagascar 2-1 in AFCON Qualifier in Uyo and Guinea-Bissau vs Nigeria on September 29: Group L Leaders Clash in Bissau.

Who Runs Nigerian Football Now

Nigerian football is in an unusual transition. On Thursday 27 August 2026, NFF president Ibrahim Musa Gusau, general secretary Mohammed Sanusi and the executive committee resigned.

The resignations followed public anger over poor national team results.

President Bola Tinubu then ordered a comprehensive reform of Nigerian football. He tasked the National Sports Commission (NSC), the government sports body chaired by Shehu Dikko, with keeping football running.

Emmanuel Ikpeme, previously deputy general secretary, now runs the NFF secretariat as interim general secretary. A planned NFF election on 27 September 2026 was suspended.

FIFA accepted the resignations at a meeting in Zurich on 1 September 2026.

How to Watch the Super Eagles in the US

For the AFCON 2027 qualifiers, CAF names beIN SPORTS as its long-term media rights partner. Its list of beIN territories includes the United States.

Friendlies are sold separately, so coverage varies from match to match.

Kick-off times for the November matches have not been published. Uyo runs on West Africa Time, six hours ahead of US Eastern Time after US clocks change on 1 November.

Dar es Salaam is eight hours ahead of Eastern Time.

Several regulars play in England’s Premier League, so US fans can follow them week to week. They include Calvin Bassey and Alex Iwobi at Fulham, Ola Aina at Nottingham Forest and Benjamin Fredricks at Brentford.

What It Means for US Readers

For US-based fans, November’s two games against Tanzania go a long way to deciding whether Nigeria reach AFCON 2027. A slip against Tanzania in November would leave the Super Eagles relying on Guinea-Bissau dropping points.

Travellers planning to watch a home match should note the US State Department’s advice. Its Nigeria page carries a Level 3 “reconsider travel” advisory dated 12 June 2026, and US citizens need a visa before arrival.

The same page requires a passport valid for six months beyond arrival and a yellow fever vaccination. For context on the country itself, see Who Dominates Nigeria, Elites and Regions Explained and Nigeria Geopolitics Explained 2026.

What Is Not Known

Kick-off times and ticket arrangements for the November matches against Tanzania have not been published. Nor have the dates of the last two Group L rounds.

The NFF has not announced the outcome of its appeal against FIFA’s ruling on the DR Congo play-off. There is also no date for a new NFF election, which will follow the reform process.

Osimhen’s availability for November has not been confirmed. The NFF has not stated whether Chelle’s contract terms or staff will change during the reform.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is the coach of the Nigeria national football team?

Éric Chelle, a Franco-Malian coach, has led the Super Eagles since January 2025. Wilfred Ndidi is the captain.

Did Nigeria qualify for the 2026 World Cup?

No. Nigeria lost the African play-off final to DR Congo on penalties in Rabat on 16 November 2025, after a 1-1 draw. It was their second straight World Cup miss.

What is Nigeria’s FIFA ranking?

Nigeria were 30th in the world and sixth in Africa in FIFA’s 7 October 2026 release, down four places. The next ranking is due on 18 November 2026.

How many times have Nigeria won the Africa Cup of Nations?

Three times: in 1980, 1994 and 2013. They have also finished third nine times, most recently in January 2026.

When do the Super Eagles play next?

Nigeria host Tanzania in Uyo on Friday 13 November 2026 and play them in Dar es Salaam on Tuesday 17 November, in AFCON 2027 qualifying.

How can I watch Nigeria games in the US?

CAF lists beIN SPORTS as its rights partner for the AFCON 2027 qualifiers, with the United States among its territories. Friendlies are sold separately, so coverage varies.

Sources: NFF, September 2026 squad; NFF, Guinea-Bissau 3-0 Nigeria; NFF, Nigeria 2-1 Madagascar; NFF, Russia 3-3 Nigeria; NFF, AFCON 2027 qualifying draw; NFF, DR Congo appeal; NFF, play-off final preview; NFF, AFCON 2025 semi-final; NFF, AFCON 2025 bronze; NFF, AFCON titles; NFF, Chelle record; NFF, Portugal friendly preview; NFF, resignations; NFF, presidential reform directive; NFF, interim secretariat; NFF, FIFA meeting in Zurich; FIFA Men’s World Ranking; FIFA, October 2026 ranking; Premium Times, 7 October 2026; CAF, where to watch the qualifiers; US State Department, Nigeria. All accessed 12 October 2026.