|
Listen to article
|
At least 17 countries have confirmed their qualification for the 2026 World Cup.
Africa now has its first flagbearer after Morocco crushed Niger Republic 5-0 on Friday, to seal their spot.
The Atlas Lions needed only six qualifying matches to qualify, as they sit top of Group E with the maximum 15 points and two games left.
They will be hoping to impress next year, after going all the way to the semi-finals in the 2022 edition in Qatar.
Morocco will join 16 other countries who have sealed their places.
Uruguay, Colombia and Paraguay secured their spots on Thursday, following the penultimate qualifying fixtures in the South America zone.
The trio join already qualified Argentina, Brazil and Ecuador from the continent.
Co-hosts United States of America, Mexico and Canada all earned automatic qualification.
Japan, New Zealand, Iran, Uzbekistan, South Korea, Jordan and Australia will also be at the tournament.
Brentford midfielder Frank Onyeka has admitted that Nigeria is currently in a difficult position amid the ongoing 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
Onyeka, however, expressed confidence that the Super Eagles, under the guidance of Eric Chelle, can defeat Rwanda and South Africa on Saturday and Tuesday.
“We are in a difficult position now, but as a team we are doing everything we can,” Onyeka said to Victor Modo.
“We are confident, we are training hard and everyone in the squad believes we can come out with good results [when we face Rwanda and South Africa].”
The Super Eagles currently trail South Africa, Benin Republic, and Rwanda in their qualifying group.
The head coach of the Super Eagles, Eric Chelle, on Friday released a list of 31 players ahead of next month’s 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
Nigeria will host Rwanda in September, before taking on South Africa in Bloemfontein on September 9.
Chelle has called up regular names such as Victor Osimhen, Victor Boniface, Stanley Nwabali, Calvin Bassey and William Troost-Ekong.
