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Newly appointed Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle will be acutely aware of the task at hand as Nigeria prosecutes the remaining qualifying games for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup is underway, and for Nigeria, the pressure is heavier than ever before. The Super Eagles failed to qualify for the Qatar-hosted showpiece two years ago, and at the halfway point towards North America, they are in very real danger of missing their second straight tournament for the first time in 36 years.
They currently find themselves without a win after their first four games, and a shock 2-1 defeat away in Benin in their most recent contest has left them in fifth place in their group, some four points away from progression already.
However, despite the ominous clouds circling over Lagos, there are plenty of reasons for Nigerians to remain optimistic.
World Cup Expansion
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be a marquee one for several reasons. The tournament will be hosted by three nations for the first time ever - namely the United States, Canada, and Mexico - however, it's the expansion from 32 to 48 teams that ensures that the upcoming showpiece will be far greater than anything we have ever seen before. The primary reason for the vastly larger competition is of course a monetary one thanks to almost double the previous amount of games taking place.
But tournament organizers FIFA aren't the only ones looking to cash in on the popularity of the planet's grandest sporting spectacle. Alternative media sources such as online casinos are also looking to capitalize, crafting World Cup-related slot games for their players to use around the clock, bringing them closer to the beautiful game than ever before. Some of the most popular soccer-themed online casino slot games are World Cup Football and Hat Trick Hero, both of which have proven to be immensely liked, and that is expected to continue into 2026 and beyond.
But despite the potential for profit playing such games with establishments such as Ignition, Super Eagles would much prefer to seal their spot at the tournament proper next summer. With more qualifying spots available to African sides than ever before courtesy of the expansion, all hope is not lost just yet.
What’s Gone Wrong?
Nigeria was drawn into a relatively simple-looking group, with South Africa thought to be their greatest threat to the top spot. That prediction looked accurate when they drew with Bafana Bafana in their third qualifier, with Lazio midfielder Fisayo Dele-Bashiru equalizing to earn his side a share of the spoils. However, before that came disappointing draws to Lesotho and Zimbabwe, while the 2-1 defeat away at Benin has set alarm bells ringing.
The biggest problem for the Super Eagles thus far has been finding the net. They have netted in each of their games played thus far, but a solitary goal in each hasn't been enough to get them over the line. Much of those woes have been due to the fact that striking sensation Victor Osimhen has been out of the squad with numerous injury issues, while an ongoing dispute with the Nigerian FA hasn't helped his standing within the national team setup.
One thing that is for certain however is that the current Galatasaray loanee needs to be back in the starting eleven and fast. The former Napoli man is one of the most sought-after hitmen on the planet and he is capable of winning games on his own. While he may well have somewhat of a villainous persona at present, saving his country in its hour of need and sealing their spot at the 2026 World Cup would catapult him into hero status.
Second Straight Disappointment?
Should the Super Eagles miss out on qualification, it would be the second straight World Cup in which they haven't secured a spot. Failure to reach Qatar in 2022 is something that still stings for Nigerian fans, with supporters expecting their country to feature at every global tournament and not just compete, but also make a lasting impression.
The prior qualifying campaign snapped Nigeria's qualifying streak at three, with the Super Eagles reaching the tournament on each and every occasion between 2010 and 2018. Unfortunately, however, that run came to a screeching half on the road to the Arabian Gulf after an away goals defeat to Ghana. A run to the final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations seemingly rejuvenated the country, but here they stand on the brink of disappointment once more.
What's To Come?
One gets the feeling that Nigeria will need to win all of their remaining games to guarantee progression, and newly appointed manager Eric Chelle will be acutely aware of the task at hand. Luckily for him, his side has the perfect opportunity to get their campaign back on a trip with games home and away to lowly Rwanda as well as a home clash with Zimbabwe sandwiched in the middle.
Victories in those three will fire the Super Eagles to the top of the group, and then they must ensure they remain composed. A trip to South Africa in September could make or break their campaign, before rounding out their qualifying efforts with a visit to Lesotho before a crunch clash on the final day against Benin.
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