- Super Eagles coach will meet NFF technical committee to finalise the squad list.
- Nigeria will face Gabon first, and a win takes Super Eagles to a final playoff match in Morocco.
- NFF confirms players will fly directly to Morocco as preparation for 2026 World Cup intensifies.
- CAF introduces VAR for the playoff to ensure fair officiating during the World Cup playoff.
Super Eagles Head Coach, Eric Chelle, is expected to sit down with the Nigeria Football Federation’s technical committee this week to conclude all decisions regarding the squad and preparations for the 2026 World Cup playoff. According to top NFF sources, Chelle has already drawn up his preferred player list and will present it before the committee for final approval.
Nigeria will take on Gabon in the first semifinal fixture on November 13 in Morocco. A victory will move the Super Eagles into the decisive playoff match on November 16, where they will face either Cameroon or DR Congo, depending on the outcome of the other semifinal clash.
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An NFF official disclosed that preparations began immediately after Nigeria’s final qualifier against the Republic of Benin. He explained that the federation understood the weight of the playoff and could not afford to lose time.
“The plan has always been to hit the ground running. The coach has his team list ready and our focus now is ensuring the Super Eagles have everything they need to qualify,” the source said.
Players are expected to arrive directly in Morocco on November 9, while the advance team from the NFF will travel ahead of them to set up the camp. Only Coach Chelle and his technical crew will depart from Nigeria.
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Meanwhile, in a major update from the Confederation of African Football (CAF), the playoff will feature the Video Assistant Referee (VAR). CAF said the decision was to prevent avoidable errors and ensure fairness during the knockout mini-tournament.
The winner of this playoff will earn a spot in the FIFA intercontinental play-off scheduled for March 2026. Winning that match will confirm Nigeria’s qualification for World Cup 2026, hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
