Finally, the Super Eagles squad list for the 2026 World Cup qualification playoffs against Gabon on Thursday, November 13, has been released. With less than a week to the single-leg semi-final clash against the Panthers at the Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat, the squad announcement has been a bit delayed,  before the substantial 24-man list was eventually announced on Saturday.

Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, William Troost-Ekong, Alex Iwobi and Calvin Bassey headline the 24-man squad, while Maduka Okoye returns to the fold after missing the September and October international windows due to a two-month suspension from football activities.

Club Brugge’s Raphael Onyedika also returns after missing last month’s games through injury, while Chidera Ejuke of Sevilla is back as well. Akor Adams, who made his debut in the last window, earned a deserved recall following his recent form.

All in all, the Super Eagles have no room for error. The backdoor route they have to the World Cup is less a matter of their doing, after failing to secure one of the nine automatic slots on offer for Africa. Condemned to the arduous playoff path as one of the best second-place finishers from the qualification series, each ensuing fixture is a single-leg affair they must win to remain in contention.

Should Nigeria defeat Gabon, they will progress to the final African playoff, where they’ll face the winner between Cameroon and DR Congo on November 16 to determine who advances to the intercontinental playoffs.

Full list: 24-man Super Eagles squad for WCQ playoffs

Goalkeepers

Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa), Amas Obasogie (Singida Black Stars, Tanzania), Maduka Okoye (Udinese FC, Italy).

Defenders

William Troost-Ekong (Al-Kholood, Saudi Arabia), Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England), Bright Osayi-Samuel (Birmingham City, England), Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiakos, Greece), Semi Ajayi (Hull City FC, England), Chidozie Awaziem (Nantes FC, France), Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal), Benjamin Fredrick (Dender, Belgium).

Midfielders

Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England), Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England), Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas FC, Turkey), Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium), Alhassan Yusuf (New England Revolution, USA).

Forwards

Ademola Lookman (Atalanta BC, Italy), Samuel Chukwueze (Fulham FC, England), Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray FC, Turkey), Moses Simon (Paris FC, France), Tolu Arokodare (Wolverhampton Wanderers, England), Chidera Ejuke (Sevilla FC, Spain), Akor Adams (Sevilla FC, Spain), Olakunle Olusegun (Pari NN, Russia).