Nigeria's Path to 2026 World Cup Playoffs Despite South Africa's Wins

Nigeria, currently third in their group, may still qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup playoffs despite facing a tough final match against Benin Republic. FIFA and CAF have approved key rule adjustments to address imbalances caused by Eritrea's withdrawal, giving Nigeria a slight advantage.

The new system excludes points gained against the lowest-ranked team in each group when comparing second-place teams across all qualifying groups. This adjustment has benefited Nigeria, placing them among the top second-place sides vying for playoff spots.