Ayo Marvel 
The Super Eagles will begin a second quest to qualify for the 2026 World Cup when they face Gabon next month in Morocco in a continental Playoffs.
Nigeria missed out on an automatic ticket to the Mundial after South Africa won Group C with 18 points from 10 matches.
The winner of the African playoffs in Morocco will head to Mexico in March 2026 for the Intercontinental playoffs involving six teams from where only two teams will emerge to join those that already qualified directly to make the 48 teams for the 2026 World Cup to be hosted by USA, Mexico and Canada.
Top 4 Second-placed Teams
P. G. PTS
- Gabon 8. 15.9. 19
- D.R. Congo.8. 10.5. 16
- Cameroon. 8. 14.5. 15
- Nigeria. 8. 13.6. 15
Route to the Intercontinental Playoffs
CAF Teams
*Participants: The 4 Best runners-up from the 9 groups: Gabon, DR. Congo, Cameroon and Nigeria.
*Format: A mini-tournament with semifinals on November 13, 2025,
and the final on November 16, 2025.
All matches are single elimination (one leg) and hosted in Morocco
(neutral venue).
Ties are resolved by extra time, then penalties.
Five subs are allowed (plus one in extra time)
*Outcome: The winner (from Africa) advances to the FIFA Inter-confederation playoff tournament in March 2026, competing against 1 team from Asia; 1 team from South America, Oceania, and two from Concacaf (North & Central America, host region) for the last 2 World Cup slots
About the Author
Ademola Busayo 
Emmanuel Femi Adedayo 
