Nigeria qualified for the playoffs for the 2026 FIFA World Cup by finishing second in Group C of the CAF qualifiers. They secured this spot after a decisive 4-0 victory over Benin on October 14, 2025, with Victor Osimhen scoring a hat-trick and Frank Onyeka adding a late goal. This win gave Nigeria 17 points from 10 matches, the same as Benin but with a superior goal difference, placing them second behind South Africa, who qualified directly as group winners. The qualification system for CAF divides African teams into nine groups. Only the nine group winners qualify directly for the World Cup. The four best second-placed teams from all groups, including Nigeria, advance to a playoff mini-tournament in Africa. Nigeria earned their playoff spot after applying CAF's rule of discounting points earned against the last-placed teams in the groups, which left them with 15 points and the best goal difference among the second-placed teams advancing. In the playoffs, Nigeria will face other top runners-up for a chance to advance to the inter- confederational playoffs, the final stage before World Cup qualification. Their first playoff match is scheduled against Gabon in Morocco in November 2025. In summary, Nigeria qualified for the World Cup playoffs by:

• Finishing second in Group C with 17 points but a better goal difference than Benin
• Winning the crucial final match against Benin 4-0
• Being one of the four best second-placed teams across all CAF groups according to CAF's rules, which include discounting matches against last-placed teams in groups
• Earning a spot in the CAF playoff mini-tournament as a result.