Twenty-one players report to camp as Nigeria gears up for key World Cup playoff

Twenty-one players have reported to Nigeria camp in Rabat, Morocco ahead of the crucial 2026 World Cup playoff this week.

The West African football heavyweights missed out on automatic World Cup qualification, and are set to participate in a playoff to determine their fate for the tournament to be staged in the USA, Canada and Mexico.

The playoff structure sees Nigeria face Gabon on November 13 at the Prince Moulay El Hassan Sports Complex in Rabat, while Cameroon takes on DR Congo. The winners will compete on November 16 for a spot in the intercontinental playoffs.

Currently, Nigeria has 21 players in camp as they gear up for the crunch game against the Panthers on Thursday.

The Super Eagles almost have a complete squad, with the three remaining players expected to join camp on Tuesday.

Among the players already in camp are Calvin Bassey, Alex Iwobi, Samuel Chukwueze, Tolu Arokodare, Olakunle Olusegun, Wilfred Ndidi, Moses Simon, William Troost-Ekong, Benjamin Frederick, Chidozie Awaziem, Amas Obasogie, Stanley Nwabali, and Semi Ajayi.

Other players include Atalanta star Ademola Lookman, Akor Adams, Chidera Ejuke, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Raphael Onyedika, Frank Onyeka, Zaidu Sanusi, and Bruno Onyemaechi.

Both teams are aiming for victory to advance to the next round of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup.