Eagles to Begin 2026 World Cup Race Against Lesotho on Nov. 13

Duro Ikhazuagbe

After failing to make the cut to the last Mundial hosted by Qatar last year, Nigeria’s Super Eagles will begin their search for ticket to the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a home game against Lesotho in Uyo on November 13.

The United States of America, Canada and Mexico are jointly hosting the global football fiesta with 48 countries in attendance.

After the opening game with Lesotho, the Super Eagles will travel to Zimbabwe a week later for their next World Cup qualifier.

The three-time African champions are drawn alongside South Africa, Benin Republic, Zimbabwe, Lesotho and Rwanda with the group winner grabbing the

automatic ticket to the expanded World Cup.

Lesotho are familiar customers to the Super Eagles. They suffered home and away defeat against the more illustrious African power house during qualifications for the 2019 AFCON hosted by Egypt.

The qualifying tournament will then resume in June 2024 with Nigeria hosting South Africa, before a tricky away tie against Benin Republic, who are now handled by former Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr.

Nigeria will then continue this marathon qualifying series with a trip to Rwanda followed by a home tie versus Zimbabwe in March 2025.

Super Eagles will take on Rwanda in a reverse tie in August 2025, before a trip to South Africa the following month.

Their final round of qualifiers in October 2025 will be away to Lesotho and at home against Benin Republic.

NIGERIA’S FIXTURES

*November 2023

Vs Lesotho (Home)

Vs Zimbabwe (Away)

*June 2024

Vs South Africa (Home)

Vs Benin (Away)

*March 2025

Vs Rwanda (Away)