By Obinna Uballa
Nigeria’s hopes of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup have been reignited following the Confederation of African Football’s (CAF) decision to adjust the qualification criteria in response to Eritrea’s withdrawal from the ongoing campaign.
The Super Eagles face Lesotho in a crucial World Cup qualifier scheduled for 5 p.m. local time today (Friday). Nigeria, currently on 11 points, sit third in Group C behind Benin Republic and South Africa, who both have 14 points each.
Eritrea’s exit from the qualifiers left Group E with only five teams instead of six, prompting CAF and FIFA to review how the best runners-up will be determined. In a circular signed by CAF’s Director of Tournaments and Events, Samson Adamu, and dated March 14, 2025, the body said it would exclude results against bottom-placed teams when comparing second-placed sides across all groups.
The decision, made in line with Article 11.5 of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Preliminary Competition Regulations, aims to ensure fairness and uniformity after the imbalance caused by Eritrea’s withdrawal.
Reports say under the revised format, teams such as Burkina Faso, DR Congo, Madagascar, and Gabon could lose up to six points, while Cameroon would forfeit four. Nigeria, however, stand to benefit as their two points earned against bottom-placed Zimbabwe may no longer count against them when the final rankings of group runners-up are determined, according to Vanguard report.
The adjustment has given the Super Eagles a new lease of life in their qualification race, providing a potential pathway back to the global stage after missing out on the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
CAF explained that the rule change was necessary to maintain competitive balance and transparency, ensuring that teams in smaller groups are not disadvantaged compared to those in full six-team groups.
With the revised criteria now in play, Nigeria enter today’s encounter against Lesotho with renewed determination. A victory in Maseru would keep their qualification hopes alive and set up a decisive final-round showdown as they push to secure a spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup to be jointly hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
