Nigeria Squad for 2026 World Cup Qualifiers Announced: Osimhen returns, Adams receives maiden call-up
by Devesh Jaganath | by Devesh Jaganath
Eric Chelle recalls big-hitters for crucial WCQ fixtures
Nigeria national football team head coach Eric Chelle has announced a strong 23-man squad for the Super Eagles' upcoming matches in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers over the next two weeks.
The Super Eagles are currently third in the Group C standings with 11 points, and have two games left to play - first against Lesotho at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on October 10 before returning home to take on current group leaders Benin in Uyo four days later.
After the September internationals, it looked as though Nigeria’s hopes of qualifying for the World Cup had gone as they were six points behind the group leaders at the time, South Africa.
However, FIFA have now made a call on Bafana Bafana fielding an ineligible player earlier in the competition against Lesotho, reversing their 2-0 victory into a 3-0 defeat. As a result, Hugo Broos’ side has fallen to second place on goal difference. All of Nigeria’s games will be covered on our football livescore tool throughout the international break.
With renewed hope, especially given that key fixture against Benin on November 14, Chelle has left nothing to chance, summoning all of his big-hitters from across Europe, including Victor Osimhen, who missed their last match against South Africa through injury and Atalanta's Ademola Lookman.
South African-based Stanley Nwabali will feature in goal for the Super Eagles, captain William Troost-Ekong will marshal the defence and Sevilla rising star Akor Adams has earned his maiden call-up this month.
Nigeria 23-man squad list for 2025 FIFA WCQ:
Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali, Amas Obasogie, Adebayo Adeleye
Defenders: Felix Agu, Bruno Onyemaechi, Bright Osayi, Benjamin Fredrick, Calvin Bassey, William Troost-Ekong, Semi Ajayi
Midfielders: Alex Iwobi, Wilfred Ndidi, Frank Onyeka, Alhassan Yusuf
Forwards: Moses Simon, Ademola Lookman, Tolu Arokodare, Victor Osimhen, Terem Moffi, Cyriel Dessers, Samuel Chukwueze, Akor Adams, Olakunle Olusegun
