The battle for a spot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup is heating up, and Nigeria’s Super Eagles find themselves in a tight race with Benin Republic for qualification. With just three games to go, every point will prove decisive.
The permutations are clear:
If Nigeria defeats South Africa and Benin beats Lesotho, the one-point gap between second-placed Benin and third-placed Nigeria will remain unchanged. If Nigeria beats South Africa and Benin falls to Lesotho, the Super Eagles will leapfrog into second place. If Nigeria loses to South Africa while Benin triumphs over Lesotho, the outlook worsens, with Benin stretching their lead to four points. If both teams lose their next matches, Benin still maintains a slim advantage with a one-point lead. If both Nigeria and Benin win their next two matches, then the final-day showdown — Nigeria hosting Benin — will become the ultimate decider.
These scenarios will continue to apply until the last round of fixtures, underscoring how tightly balanced the group remains.
Upcoming fixtures for Nigeria and Benin:
Nigeria
South Africa vs. Nigeria Lesotho vs. Nigeria Nigeria vs. Benin
Benin
Benin vs. Lesotho Rwanda vs. Benin Nigeria vs. Benin
As the clock ticks down, the Super Eagles know that their fate lies firmly in their own hands. Victory in the coming games will not only boost their standing but also set up a potentially dramatic finale against Benin Republic.
