Visa delays jeopardize Super Eagles’ 2026 World Cup qualification hopes

Nigeria’s slim hopes of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup may have been dealt a major blow even before the Super Eagles’ crucial matches against Lesotho and Benin Republic, as reports indicate that at least seven invited players are stranded without entry visas to South Africa.

According to a source, “There’s a major organisational hiccup regarding entry visas to South Africa. At least seven players may not be able to enter the country before Wednesday because of this. It means there may not be full-squad training until possibly a day before the match. This is catastrophic!”

Further investigations revealed that while most of the players from last month’s qualifiers were issued three-month multiple-entry visas, the new invitees and those recalled to the team were not as fortunate.

The Super Eagles are scheduled to face Lesotho in Polokwane, South Africa, on Friday, before hosting group leaders Benin Republic in Uyo four days later.

Nigeria must win both matches and hope that group front-runners Benin and South Africa drop points in their remaining qualifiers to stand any chance of featuring at next year’s World Cup.

The Super Eagles currently sit third in their group with 11 points — three points behind Benin and South Africa — with two rounds of matches remaining. Only the group winners automatically qualify for the World Cup, while runners-up may get a second chance through an intercontinental playoff.