Nigeria has unveiled a 24-man squad for the crucial 2026 World Cup playoff, with Udinese goalkeeper Maduka Okoye recalled for the knockout tie against the Panthers of Gabon.
The roster also features the return of Sevilla forward Chidera Ejuke and Club Brugge midfielder Raphael Onyedika. Okoye comes back after serving a two-month ban linked to betting activities, while Onyedika rejoins following recovery from an injury that sidelined him during the final World Cup qualifiers.
The squad maintains a strong core of key players, including Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen, captain William Troost-Ekong of Al-Kholood, and Fulham duo Alex Iwobi and Samuel Chukwueze. Other notable selections include Ademola Lookman (Atalanta), Calvin Bassey (Fulham), and Simon Moses (Paris FC). Rising talents such as defender Benjamin Fredericks (Dender FC) and forwards Akor Adams (Sevilla) and Tolu Arokodare (Wolverhampton Wanderers) are also included.
All players are expected to fly to Morocco and join the squad in Rabat on Monday, November 10, ahead of the playoff semi-final against Gabon at the Complexe Sportif Prince Heritier Moulay Al Hassan on November 13. The winner will face either Cameroon or DR Congo in the final, with the victor earning Africa’s sole spot in the intercontinental playoff next year.
Nigeria’s 24-Man Squad for 2026 World Cup Playoff
Goalkeepers:
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Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United)
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Amas Obasogie (Singida Blackstars)
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Maduka Okoye (Udinese FC)
Defenders:
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William Troost-Ekong (Al-Kholood)
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Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC)
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Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (Hull City)
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Bright Osayi-Samuel (Birmingham City)
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Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiakos)
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Chidozie Awaziem (Nantes FC)
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Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto)
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Benjamin Fredericks (Dender FC)
Midfielders:
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Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC)
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Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC)
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Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi (New England Revolution)
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Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas FC)
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Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge)
Forwards:
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Ademola Lookman (Atalanta BC)
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Samuel Chukwueze (Fulham FC)
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Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray FC)
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Simon Moses (Paris FC)
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Chidera Ejuke (Sevilla FC)
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Tolu Arokodare (Wolverhampton Wanderers)
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Akor Adams (Sevilla FC)
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Olakunle Olusegun (Pari Nizhny Novgorod)
