Nigeria vs Benin: How Nigeria can qualify for the FIFA World Cup [Playoffs explainer]

Congratulations to fans of the Super Eagles in Nigeria and the diaspora on beating the Benin Republic 4-0 to book a place in the playoffs. However, as it says on the tin, we have only made the playoffs, and the job is far from over. 

Unlike the CAF qualifying groups, which require a team to win their group or finish among the four best second-placed teams, the playoffs are a different beast. But worry not; Pulse Sports has charted Nigeria’s new path to qualification in an easily digestible format. 

• The victory against the Benin Republic, especially with the four goals, meant Nigeria, along with Gabon and Cameroon, have made the playoffs. 

• Burkina Faso currently occupy the final slot, unless DR Congo win their final group game. 

• The four teams would be drawn into pairs. They would then go into a knockout round. 

• Nigeria will be drawn against one of the other three best second-placed teams. If they win the game, they will face the winner of the other tie. [A semifinal and a final]

• Victory in the CAF playoff final will then qualify Nigeria for the intercontinental playoffs. 

Participating Confederations:

Africa (CAF): 1 team

Asia (AFC): 1 team

South America (CONMEBOL): 1 team

Oceania (OFC): 1 team

North and Central America and Caribbean (CONCACAF): 2 teams [host confederation]

• Winning the CAF playoff rounds will then see Nigeria advance into the Intercontinental playoffs, where they will represent Africa against one team from the AFC, CONMEBOL, OFC and CONCACAF. 

• The six teams will be ranked based on the FIFA World Rankings. The top two-ranked teams will be seeded and receive a bye to the final stage of the playoffs

• Nigeria are currently ranked 45th  in the latest FIFA rankings. This means they stand a high chance of receiving a bye to the final, given the level of teams entering the playoffs from other confederations. 

• Bolivia from CONMEBOL and New Caledonia from OFC have both confirmed their place in the playoffs and are both ranked below Nigeria. 

• The four unseeded teams will be drawn into two single-leg semi-final matches.

• The winners of the two semi-final matches will then proceed to face the two seeded teams in two separate single-leg final matches.

• The winners of these two final matches will fill the final two spots at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The road is still long and arduous, starting in the November international break. However, Nigeria stand a viable chance, as scaling the African playoffs will see Nigeria placed amongst the favourites in the Intercontinental round.