World Cup
World Cup 2026: Nigeria Awaits Crucial December Draw in Washington as Qualification Race Intensifies
By KUNLE SOLAJA.
Nigeria’s path to the expanded 48-team FIFA World Cup in 2026 will become clearer on Friday, December 5, when the final draw for the tournament takes place at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington DC.
The draw, announced jointly by U.S. President Donald J. Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino at the White House, is more than a ceremonial milestone.
For Nigeria, still battling through the African qualifying series, the Washington event could define the scale of the challenge that awaits if the Super Eagles secure one of Africa’s coveted slots.
Unlike previous editions, the 2026 tournament—co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada—will be the largest in history, featuring 48 teams.
Ten nations have already sealed qualification, including Argentina, Brazil, Japan, Iran, and debutants Jordan and Uzbekistan. By December, 42 teams will have confirmed their participation, with the remaining six to be decided in the inaugural intercontinental play-off tournament next March in North America.
For Nigeria, the December draw is layered with significance. First, it serves as a reminder that qualification remains unfinished business.
With the Super Eagles caught in a tightly contested African qualifying pool, every dropped point could prove costly.
Second, the expanded tournament format means Africa has a record nine direct slots plus a potential tenth via the intercontinental play-offs.
This widens Nigeria’s prospects but also intensifies competition from emerging African sides like Morocco, Senegal, and Egypt, who have grown stronger on the global stage.
The symbolic choice of Washington’s Kennedy Center also underscores FIFA’s ambition to marry culture and sport in staging the biggest single-sport event ever.
For Nigeria, however, the central concern remains footballing preparedness—ensuring the team, currently under scrutiny for inconsistency and injuries, does not stumble in the decisive qualifying matches leading up to the draw.
By the time the world tunes in at 12:00 local time (18:00 CET) on December 5, 2025, to watch the groupings unveiled, Nigeria will hope to have secured its ticket, avoiding the agony of missing out as it did in 2006 and 2022.
Anything less would reduce the Washington spectacle to a painful reminder of lost opportunity.
The countdown to the Estadio Azteca’s opening match on June 11, 2026, is officially underway. For Nigeria, the clock ticks louder—not just towards the draw in Washington, but towards redemption on the global stage.
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The following is a list of teams that have qualified for the 2026 World Cup, which will be hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada from June 11 to July 19.
UNITED STATES
Taking part as hosts
Best performance: Third place (1930)
MEXICO:
Taking part as hosts
Best performance: Quarter-finals (1970, 1986)
CANADA:
Taking part as hosts
Best performance: Group stage (1986, 2022)
JAPAN
Qualified on March, 20.
Best performance: Round of 16 (2002, 2010, 2018, 2022)
NEW ZEALAND
Qualified on March, 24.
Best performance: Group stage (1982, 2010)
IRAN
Qualified on March, 25.
Best performance: Group stage (1978, 1998, 2006, 2014, 2018, 2022)
ARGENTINA
Qualified on March, 25.
Best performance: Winners (1978, 1986, 2022)
UZBEKISTAN
Qualified on June, 5.
Best performance: Never previously qualified.
SOUTH KOREA
Qualified June, 5.
Best performance: Fourth place (2002)
JORDAN
Qualified June, 5.
Best performance: Never previously qualified.
AUSTRALIA
Qualified June, 10.
Best performance: Round of 16 (2006, 2022)
BRAZIL
Qualified June, 10.
Best performance: Winners (1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, 2002)
ECUADOR
Qualified June, 10.
Best performance: Round of 16 (2006)
URUGUAY
Qualified September, 4.
Best performance: Winners (1930, 1950)
COLOMBIA
Qualified September, 4.
Best performance: Quarter-finals (2014)
PARAGUAY
Qualified September, 4.
Best performance: Quarter-finals (2010)
MOROCCO
Qualified September, 5.
Best performance: Semi-finals (2022)
TUNISIA
Qualified September, 8.
Best performance: Group Stage (1978, 1998, 2002, 2006, 2018, 2022)
EGYPT
Qualified October, 8.
Best performance: Round of 16 (1934)
-Reuters
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Egypt became the third African country to book a berth at next year’s World Cup finals with an easy 3-0 win over Djibouti in Casablanca on Wednesday that secured them top place in Group A with one game remaining.
Egypt, who have competed at three previous World Cups, join fellow north African nations Morocco and Tunisia at the 2026 tournament in North America.
-Reuters
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Russia-based forward Olakunle Olusegun is still awaiting an entry visa to South Africa, creating the possibility that Nigeria may prosecute the encounter with only 21 available players.
Friday’s crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying encounter at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane, South Africa.
Head Coach Eric Sekou Chelle will have a total of 20 players available for Wednesday’s second training session, as the Super Eagles intensify preparations for the tie against the Crocodiles.
By Tuesday night, 18 players had checked into the team’s camp at The Ranch Hotel in Polokwane, with Portugal-based defender Zaidu Sanusi and Spain-based forward Jerome Akor Adams expected to join on Wednesday. United States-based midfielder Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi is due to arrive on Thursday.
Chelle has had to adjust his squad following injuries to Bright Osayi-Samuel and Cyriel Dessers, prompting the late inclusion of Zaidu Sanusi and Christantus Uche of Crystal Palace. Earlier, a knock to wing-back Felix Agu had reduced the initial 23-man roster to 22.
Team captain William Ekong lacing his boots for training in Polokwane on Tuesday
Friday’s Matchday 9 fixture will kick off at 6pm South Africa time (5pm Nigeria time) at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium, as the Super Eagles aim to strengthen their position in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying race.
21 SUPER EAGLES TO BATTLE LESOTHO IN POLOKWANE
Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa); Amas Obasogie (Singida Blackstars, Tanzania); Adeleye Adebayo (Volos FC, Greece)
Defenders: William Ekong (Al-Kholood, Saudi Arabia); Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (Hull City, England); Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal); Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiakos, Greece); 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); Christantus Uche (Crystal Palace, England)
Forwards: Ademola Lookman (Atalanta BC, Italy); Samuel Chukwueze (Fulham FC, England); Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray FC, Turkey); Simon Moses (Paris FC, France); Tolu Arokodare (Wolverhampton Wanderers, England); Terem Moffi (OGC Nice, France); Jerome Akor Adams (Sevilla FC, Spain)
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