Can the Super Eagles Still Make the 2026 World Cup?

The Super Eagles are in a tough spot, but not an impossible one. After a shaky start in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, Nigeria’s chances of reaching the global stage may look uncertain. 

Currently sitting fourth in their group and six points behind table-toppers South Africa, the road ahead is steep. But new head coach Eric Chelle is not backing down.

Chelle, who only recently took charge of the Super Eagles, remains confident that qualification is still within reach.

 And he’s not just relying on hope, he’s banking on the team’s growing chemistry and their recent performance at the Unity Cup in London.

Nigeria’s victory in the invitational tournament might not count for points, but it could count for something just as important: belief. The team showed flashes of brilliance, scoring goals, creating chances, and most importantly, playing with a sense of unity, something Chelle insists is non-negotiable going forward.

“What matters most is playing together in both attack and defence,” Chelle said, reflecting on the team’s performance. “We have to keep improving both physically and mentally. We must become true warriors on the pitch.”

The Super Eagles now have four more games to fix their campaign. The next chapter begins in September, when they host Rwanda in Uyo before heading down to face group leaders South Africa away. It’s a critical window, one that could make or break their qualification hopes.

The challenge is clear. There’s no room for slip-ups. But if the team can build on their momentum, stay focused, and show the grit Chelle is demanding, then yes, the Super Eagles can still soar to the 2026 World Cup.

The next few months will tell us if belief and effort can rewrite the narrative.