Nigeria's Super Eagles have officially announced their 24-man squad for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup African playoff tournament, scheduled to take place in Rabat, Morocco.
In a statement issued by the Super Eagles' head coach, Eric Chelle, the selected team comprises a blend of experienced players and promising young talents as they prepare to compete against Gabon in the semi-finals.
The squad is captained by William Ekong and includes notable players such as Victor Osimhen, a key striker from Galatasaray, goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, and defenders Bright Osayi-Samuel and Calvin Bassey.
Midfielders Alex Iwobi, Wilfred Ndidi, and Frank Onyeka are joined by emerging defender Benjamin Fredericks, while forwards Samuel Chukwueze and Ademola Lookman complete the roster of players anticipated to make a significant contribution.
Nigeria is set to face Gabon on Thursday at the Complexe Sportif Prince Heritier Moulay Al Hassan in Rabat, a venue that accommodates 22,000 spectators. The other semi-final match will feature Cameroon against the Democratic Republic of Congo at the El-Barid Stadium, which has a capacity of 18,000 and is also located in Rabat.
Coach Chelle has recalled goalkeeper Maduka Okoye and Spain-based forward Chidera Ejuke, additionally including Raphael Onyedika, Tolu Arokodare, Jerome Akor Adams, and Olusegun Olakunle in the squad. It is important to note that defender Oluwasemilogo Ajayi will miss the match against Gabon due to a one-game suspension resulting from the accumulation of two yellow cards during the qualifying campaign.
The players are scheduled to arrive in Morocco from their respective clubs across Europe and beyond, joining the remainder of the squad in Rabat on Monday, 10th November.
The complete 24-Man Super Eagles Squad for the World Cup African Play-offs is as follows:
Goalkeepers:
Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa), Amas Obasogie (Singida Blackstars, Tanzania), Maduka Okoye (Udinese FC, Italy)
Defenders:
William Ekong (Al-Kholood, Saudi Arabia), Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England), Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (Hull City, England), Bright Osayi-Samuel (Birmingham City, England), Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiakos, Greece), Chidozie Awaziem (Nantes FC, France), Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal), Benjamin Fredericks (Dender FC, Belgium)
Midfielders:
Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England), Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England), Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi (New England Revolution, USA), Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas FC, Turkey), Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium)
Forwards:
Ademola Lookman (Atalanta BC, Italy), Samuel Chukwueze (Fulham FC, England), Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray FC, Turkey), Simon Moses (Paris FC, France), Chidera Ejuke (Sevilla FC, Spain), Tolu Arokodare (Wolverhampton Wanderers, England), Akor Adams (Sevilla FC, Spain), Olakunle Olusegun (Pari Nizhny Novgorod, Russia).