Lookman, Osimhen In As Eric Chelle Releases 31-Man List for Must-Win World Cup Qualifiers
- Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle has released a 31-man provisional list for the upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifiers
- Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, and Wilfred Ndidi are some of the top players included in the squad
- Nigeria faces two must-win games against Group C leaders South Africa and Rwanda in September
Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has released a provisional squad of 31 players for Nigeria’s must-win 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against Rwanda and South Africa.
The list features a mix of superstars, experienced players, and fresh faces eager to make an impact as the three-time African champions fight to revive their World Cup qualification hopes.
Source: Getty Images
Big names lead Chelle's squad
The provisional list includes team captain William Troost-Ekong, first-choice goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, defenders Calvin Bassey and Ola Aina, and midfield mainstays Alex Iwobi and Wilfred Ndidi, per Score Nigeria.
Up front, Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, and Moses Simon headline a strong attacking unit that Chelle will rely on for goals in September’s decisive encounters.
Also included are Samuel Chukwueze, Victor Boniface, and Sadiq Umar, providing the Super Eagles with a wealth of attacking options.
Terem Moffi and Cyriel Dessers, who impressed during Nigeria’s Unity Cup win in London earlier this year, also earn call-ups.
Source: Getty Images
These selections underline Chelle’s intent to combine experience with in-form players as Nigeria looks to bounce back in the qualifiers.
Super Eagles full squad
Goalkeepers:
Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa); Amas Obasogie (Singida Blackstars, Tanzania); Adeleye Adebayo (Volos FC, Greece); Ebenezer Harcourt (Sporting FC)
Defenders:
William Ekong (Al-Kholood, Saudi Arabia); Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Olaoluwa Aina (Nottingham Forest, England); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Birmingham City, England); Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiakos, Greece); Igoh Ogbu (SK Slavia Prague, Czech Republic); Chidozie Awaziem (Nantes FC, France); Felix Agu (Werder Bremen, Germany); Benjamin Fredericks (Dender FC, Belgium)
Midfielders:
Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England); Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England); Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi (New England Revolution, USA); Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas FC, Turkey); Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (SS Lazio, Italy); Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium); Christantus Uche (Getafe CF, Spain)
Forwards:
Ademola Lookman (Atalanta BC, Italy); Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy); Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray FC, Turkey); Simon Moses (Paris FC, France); Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany); Cyriel Dessers (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland); Sadiq Umar (Real Sociedad, Spain); Nathan Tella (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany); Tolu Arokodare (KRC Genk, Belgium); Terem Moffi (OGC Nice, France); Adams Akor (Sevilla FC, Spain)
Must-win games for Nigeria
Nigeria face a difficult task in Group C of the World Cup qualifiers, and there are rumours that Chelle could also lose his job if Nigeria fails to qualify.
Currently sitting fourth with just seven points from six matches, the Super Eagles trail leaders South Africa by six points and Rwanda by one, per FIFA.com.
With only one win so far, Nigeria’s qualification hopes hang by a thread.
The Super Eagles will first host Rwanda at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Saturday, 6th September, before flying to Bloemfontein to take on South Africa three days later.
Nothing short of victory in both games will keep Nigeria’s World Cup dreams alive, as only the group winners secure automatic qualification.
Dessers set for Super Eagles return
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that in a bid to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle has extended an invitation to Cyriel Dessers of Rangers, as the Franco-Malian has dropped Trabzonspor forward Paul Onuachu.
Chelle is desperate to redeem his image after the disastrous outing at the 2025 Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) in Tanzania.
Source: Legit.ng
