The Super Eagles of Nigeria officially opened camp on Sunday in Rabat, Morocco, as preparations intensified for their crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup CAF playoff showdown.
According to team media officer Promise Efoghe, the first batch of players and officials arrived at the Rive Hotel, Rabat, on Sunday afternoon, marking the start of what could be a defining week in Nigeria’s journey back to the world’s biggest football stage.
Early arrivals included Calvin Bassey, Alex Iwobi, Samuel Chukwueze, Tolu Arokodare, and Olakunle Olusegun. Later in the evening, Wilfred Ndidi, Moses Simon, and William Troost-Ekong joined the squad, taking the tally to eight. By nightfall, Benjamin Fredericks and Chidozie Awaziem also checked in, bringing the total number of players in camp to 10.
Head coach Eric Chelle on Saturday confirmed his 24-man squad for the playoffs, featuring a blend of established Europe-based stars and promising home-based talents.
Nigeria will face Gabon in their opening playoff match on Thursday, with victory setting up a clash against Cameroon or DR Congo in the final on November 16, also in Rabat.
The playoffs serve as Africa’s additional qualifying route for the expanded 2026 FIFA World Cup, to be hosted by the USA, Canada, and Mexico. The winner of the mini-tournament will advance to the intercontinental playoff in March 2026 for a final chance to qualify.
Chelle’s squad features several changes from last month’s qualifiers, which saw Nigeria record back-to-back wins over Lesotho and Benin Republic, sealing their spot among the four best runners-up across Africa’s nine qualifying groups.
Among those returning are Maduka Okoye of Udinese, back to challenge Stanley Nwabali for the number-one shirt, and Chidozie Awaziem, who returns to bolster the defence.
Midfielder Raphael Onyedika and winger Chidera Ejuke have also been recalled for added creativity and balance.
Players left out from the previous squad include Felix Agu, Terem Moffi, and Christantus Uche.
Nigeria remain the highest-ranked side in the playoff round and are widely tipped to progress, though coach Chelle has urged his players to stay focused and disciplined.
“We know what’s at stake,” Chelle said. “We must approach every match with tactical precision and the right mentality if we want to reach the World Cup.”
Nigeria’s Squad for 2026 FIFA World Cup Playoffs
Goalkeepers:
Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa), Amas Obasogie (Singida Blackstars, Tanzania), Maduka Okoye (Udinese, Italy)
Defenders:
Chidozie Awaziem (Nantes, France), Semi Ajayi (Hull City, England), Calvin Bassey (Fulham, England), Benjamin Fredericks (Dender, Belgium), Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiakos, Greece), Bright Osayi-Samuel (Birmingham City, England), Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal), William Troost-Ekong (Al-Kholood, Saudi Arabia)
Midfielders:
Alex Iwobi (Fulham, England), Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas, Turkey), Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium), Frank Onyeka (Brentford, England), Alhassan Yusuf (New England Revolution, USA)
Forwards:
Akor Adams (Sevilla, Spain), Tolu Arokodare (Wolverhampton Wanderers, England), Samuel Chukwueze (Fulham, England), Chidera Ejuke (Sevilla, Spain), Ademola Lookman (Atalanta, Italy), Olakunle Olusegun (Nizhny Novgorod, Russia), Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray, Turkey), Moses Simon (Paris FC, France).