Nigeria will face Gabon in the semi-finals of the African section of the 2026 FIFA Super Eagles World Cup play-offs after the conclusion of the qualifying group matches on Tuesday.
The Super Eagles booked their spot with a convincing 4–0 win over Benin Republic, while Gabon advanced as Group F runners-up following a 2–0 victory against Burundi. DR Congo and Cameroon also qualified, setting up the second semi-final clash between both sides.
The play-offs, which will feature the four best runners-up from the nine African qualifying groups, are scheduled to take place in Morocco from November 13 to 16. Nigeria, expected to remain the highest-ranked team when FIFA releases its updated rankings on October 23, will face Gabon, the lowest-ranked of the four.
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Winners of the semi-finals will meet in a single-leg final on November 16, with the overall champion advancing to the inter-confederation stage of the Super Eagles World Cup play-offs in March 2026 for a chance to qualify for the tournament in Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
All matches will be decided in single-leg format, with extra time and penalties if necessary. Morocco will host the mini-tournament, providing Africa an extra qualification route for the expanded 48-team World Cup.
The Super Eagles World Cup play-offs mark Nigeria’s final hurdle in the race to return to football’s biggest stage.