We can still qualify for 2026 World Cup – Former NFF president Amaju Pinnick

Former Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President, Amaju Pinnick is optimistic about the Super Eagles 2026 World Cup qualification.

With two matches to end the qualification series, the Super Eagles find themselves in the third position, trailing Benin and South Africa with just three points.

Nigeria faces a must-win clashes against Lesotho and Benin in the final round of the qualifying series.

Despite holding a slim chance, Pinnick, who currently serves as the Deputy Chairperson of FIFA’s Men’s National Teams Competitions Committee insists Nigeria can still make it to the World Cup to be staged in the USA, Canada and Mexico next year.

“I have a strong feeling that we can still qualify. If we beat Lesotho tomorrow, come home and beat Benin, let’s just wait and see,” he said.

Meanwhile, Pinnick, has called on the Super Eagles to bring the same passion and professionalism they display for their European clubs to the national team as Nigeria continues its 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign.

“The only thing you can do is to psyche the players. Let them look at Nigeria, the national morale. Let them be very patriotic on and off the pitch,” Pinnick said. “Let them give us their best — the same thing they do for their clubs, let them come and do it here.”

According to Pinnick, he stays in close contact with the Super Eagles players to keep them motivated for the crucial games.

“One thing I always preach to them—the captain is the coach on the pitch. I am in touch with them, I talk to them because it’s very important that we qualify,” he added.

The Super Eagles, led by coach Eric Chelle will face Lesotho in the penultimate World Cup qualifier on Friday at 5 p.m.