Following the conclusion of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, Athletic NG analysis suggests that the Super Eagles of Nigeria are set to face Gabon in the upcoming CAF World Cup play-offs, based on the seeding guidelines issued by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
A CAF circular, signed by Samson Adamu, Director of Competitions and Events, outlined how the four best runners-up from Africa’s nine qualification groups would be ranked and paired.
According to the circular, the October FIFA World Rankings will determine the order of the four teams, with the highest-ranked side facing the lowest-ranked, and the second meeting the third in the other semi-final.
Despite topping the second-place rankings with 19 points after a 2–0 win over Burundi, Gabon lead the list of play-off qualifiers.
DR Congo followed in second with 16 points after edging Sudan 1–0 in their final match, while Cameroon finished third on 15 points. Nigeria secured the final play-off spot in fourth, edging Burkina Faso on goal difference — +7 to +6.
Second place table. Photo Credit: Flashscore
Projected play-off pairings
Based on the latest FIFA World Rankings, the four best runners-up are ranked as follows:
1. Nigeria – 45th
2. Cameroon – 52nd
3. DR Congo – 60th
4. Gabon – 79th
Osimhen, Moffi and Onyeka posing in the dressing room after qualifying for the CAF World Cup playoff. Photo Credit: Moffi/gram
Under CAF’s stated seeding system, this would produce the following pairings:
Nigeria vs Gabon
Cameroon vs DR Congo
The winners of the two semi-finals will meet in a final match, with only one African team advancing to the FIFA Intercontinental Play-Off for a place at the 2026 World Cup.
Knockout format and schedule
The CAF play-offs will be a single-leg knockout mini-tournament, hosted entirely in Morocco from 13 to 16 November 2025.
If a match ends level after 90 minutes, it will proceed to extra time (2×15 minutes), and if still tied, a penalty shootout will decide the winner.
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Each team will be allowed six substitutions, five in normal time and one in extra time.
Nigeria’s unbeaten run continues
The Super Eagles sealed their play-off spot with a dominant 4–0 victory over Benin Republic in Uyo on Tuesday.
Victor Osimehn and Samuel Chukwueze. Photo Credit: X
A Victor Osimhen hat-trick and a Frank Onyeka strike capped off a ruthless performance, as Nigeria ended the group phase unbeaten under Eric Chelle recording four wins and two draws from six matches and collecting 14 of their 17 points.
Chelle praised his side’s mentality and his talismanic striker after the final whistle:
“I am very happy for my players, especially the best striker in the world, Victor,” he said.
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The result lifted Nigeria to 15 points with a +7 goal difference, enough to secure one of four play-off slots following Eritrea’s withdrawal from the qualifiers.
“Now we go to Morocco. It’s going to be very difficult, but this is the start. I’m proud of everyone, including the fans they pushed us.”
Super Eagles coaching crew led by Eric Chelle have masterminded a revival for Nigeria. Photo Credit Imago
What comes next: the global play-offs
The CAF play-off winner will represent Africa at the FIFA Intercontinental Play-Off, which will take place in March 2026 in Mexico, serving as a test event for the World Cup venues.
The six teams involved will come from:
1 from Africa (CAF)
1 from Asia (AFC)
1 from South America (CONMEBOL)- Bolivia
1 from Oceania (OFC)- New Caledonia
2 from North/Central America & the Caribbean (CONCACAF)
The top two highest-ranked teams receive byes to the final round, while the other four play semi-finals. The two winners of the finals will qualify for the 2026 World Cup jointly hosted by Mexico, the United States, and Canada.
