Nigeria’s road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup just got brighter, thanks to a crucial rule change by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
Following Eritrea’s shock withdrawal from the qualifiers, CAF has adjusted the format, giving the Super Eagles a much-needed boost in their race to reach the global stage.
According to a circular signed by CAF’s Director of Tournaments and Events, Samson Adamu, “whenever a group has fewer than five teams due to withdrawal or disqualification, results against the lowest-ranked or withdrawn teams will not count when comparing second-placed sides.”
The move, in line with FIFA’s regulations for the World Cup preliminary competition, aims to ensure fairness across all groups. But for Nigeria, it could be a game-changer.
If the new rule takes effect, Burkina Faso, DR Congo, Madagascar, and Gabon could each lose up to six points, a shift that would see Nigeria and Cameroon rise in the standings.
For the Super Eagles, who only managed two points against bottom-placed Zimbabwe, this adjustment could mean a fresh start and a clearer path to the playoffs.
With crucial fixtures against Lesotho and Benin still to come, Nigeria’s qualification hopes are alive again. After missing out on Qatar 2022, the Eagles now have a golden chance to soar back onto football’s biggest stage.
