Former African champions, Nigeria’s Super Eagles, have been drawn against their eternal rivals, South Africa, in Group C of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
The Nigerian will also do battle with Benin Republic, Zimbabwe, Rwanda and Lesotho for Group’s ticket.
Nigeria’s former captain, Austin Jay jay Okocha; and erstwhile Côte d’Ivoire defender, Emmanuel Eboue, were among other top African stars present at the ceremony.
The 2026 edition of the tournament, to be hosted jointly by Canada, United States of America and Mexico, will have 48 teams, expanded from 32.
Africa will have 10 guaranteed spots for the competition.
The winners of the nine groups will qualify for the tournament, while the best four runners up will enter a play-off where the best team will go to North America.
Qualifiers will kick off in the first weekend of November.
Group A
Egypt, Burkina Faso, Guinea-Bissau, Sierra Leone, Ethiopia, Djibouti
Group B
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Senegal, Democratic Republic of Congo, Mauritania, Togo, Sudan, South Sudan
Group C
Nigeria, South Africa, Benin, Zimbabwe, Rwanda, Lesotho
Group D
Cameroon, Cape Verde, Angola, Libya, Eswatini, Mauritius
Group E
Morocco, Zambia, Congo Brazzaville, Tanzania, Niger, Eritrea
Group F
Ivory Coast, Gabon, Kenya, Gambia, Burundi, Seychelles
Group G
Algeria, Guinea, Uganda, Mozambique, Botswana, Somalia
Group H
Tunisia, Equatorial Guinea, Namibia, Malawi, Liberia, Sao Tome e Principe
Group I
Mali, Ghana, Madagascar, Central African Republic, Comoros, Chad
Matchdays
1, 2: November 13-21, 2023
3, 4: June 3-11, 2024
5, 6: March 17-25, 2025
7, 8: September 1-9, 2025
9, 10: October 6-14, 2025
Play-offs
November 10-18, 2025.