National Teams
Nigeria’s friendlies against Venezuela, Colombia in doubt after World Cup playoff seal
By Dayo Awoniyi
The planned international friendlies between Nigeria and South American sides Venezuela and Colombia may be cancelled following the Super Eagles’ qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup playoff round, sources close to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) have indicated.
Nigeria booked their place in the final phase of CAF qualifiers after a resounding 4–0 win over Benin Republic in their final group-stage match. The result saw the Super Eagles finish second in their group, securing a ticket to the crucial playoff round.
The NFF is now reportedly reconsidering its November fixture schedule to allow head coach Eric Chelle sufficient time to prepare for what could be a defining moment in the team’s World Cup qualification journey.
The upcoming playoffs will see Nigeria face tough opposition, with Gabon, Cameroon, and DR Congo drawn as potential rivals for a spot at the tournament.
The matches are expected to take place around the same period the friendlies had been slated for, raising concerns over fixture congestion, travel demands, and the risk of player fatigue.
While the NFF has yet to issue an official statement, discussions are believed to be ongoing regarding the cancellation or rescheduling of the friendlies to prioritize focused preparation for the playoff campaign.
Head coach Eric Chelle is expected to shift full attention to squad development and tactical refinement ahead of the decisive matches, as Nigeria looks to return to the FIFA World Cup after missing out on the 2022 edition in Qatar.
An official announcement on the status of the November friendlies is expected in the coming days.
