2026 World Cup Qualifiers: Nigeria to start journey against South Africa

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde

Three-time African champions, Nigeria’s senior national team will face 2010 FIFA World Cup hosts, South Africa in its first game of 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers.

The Super Eagles in Cote d’Ivoire were drawn against the 1996 African champions as the draw for the 2026 World Cup took place on Thursday.

African teams were drawn into nine groups of six.

The West African giants will face South Africa, Benin Republic, Zimbabwe, Rwanda, and Lesotho in Group C in a bid to stage an immediate return to the World Cup.

The team couldn’t make it to the last FIFA World Cup after Ghana picked the ticket on away goal ahead of the 1980 African champions.

Ghana will play Mali, Madagascar, Central Africa Republic, Chad, and Comoros in Group I.

Nigeria will aim to make it to its seventh FIFA World Cup after its six previous appearances in 1994, 1998, 2002, 2010, 2014, and 2018.

The 2013 African champions made it to the Round of 16 at the World Cup on three occasions in 1994, 1998, and 2014.

It ended its campaign at the group stage at the 2002, 2010, and 2018 World Cups.

Meanwhile, the only African team to have made it to the World Cup semi-final, Morocco will face Zambia, Congo, Tanzania, Eritrea, and Niger Republic in Group E.

The top teams from each group automatically qualify for the 2026 World Cup.

The 2026 FIFA Women’s World Cup will be co-hosted by Canada, United States of America (USA), and Mexico.