Get ready for some football magic! Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has just dropped the bombshell—his 35-man provisional squad for the high-stakes 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and Zimbabwe. It’s a squad brimming with talent, and let’s just say, it’s looking pretty exciting!
First up, the captain is back! Ahmed Musa makes his highly anticipated return to the squad for the first time since the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. He’s joined by assistant captain William Troost-Ekong and midfield maestro Joe Aribo, making this a reunion fans have been waiting for.
But that’s not all—Chelle is mixing things up with six fresh faces, blending seasoned pros with some rising stars. Among the newcomers are homegrown gems like Papa Mustapha, Kayode Bankole, and Ifeanyi Emmanuel Onyebuchi. It’s clear the coach is committed to unearthing the next big thing from the domestic scene.
Of course, there are a few fitness concerns to address, but don’t count out Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (ankle injury), Jerome Akor Adams, and Maduka Okoye—who’s been sidelined since December. They’re all included in the squad, proving that a little bit of injury drama won’t stop the Super Eagles from soaring.
Here’s a sneak peek at who’s been called up to represent Nigeria:
Goalkeepers
• Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa)
• Maduka Okoye (Udinese, Italy)
• Amas Obasogie (Singida Black Stars, Tanzania)
• Adeleye Adebayo (Enosis Neon Paralimni, Cyprus)
• Kayode Bankole (Remo Stars, Nigeria)
Defenders
• William Ekong (Al Khalood, Saudi Arabia)
• Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce, Turkey)
• Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiacos, Greece)
• Gabriel Osho (AJ Auxerre, France)
• Calvin Bassey (Fulham, England)
• Ola Aina (Nottingham Forest, England)
• Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal)
• Igoh Ogbu (Slavia Prague, Czech Republic)
• Jordan Torunarigha (Gent, Belgium)
• Ifeanyi Onyebuchi (Enugu Rangers, Nigeria)
Midfielders
• Papa Daniel Mustapha (Niger Tornadoes, Nigeria)
• Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England)
• Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium)
• Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi (New England, USA)
• Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (SS Lazio, Italy)
• Frank Onyeka (Augsburg, Germany)
• Alex Iwobi (Fulham, England)
• Joseph Ayodele-Aribo (Southampton, England)
• Anthony Dennis (Goztepe, Turkey)
• Christantus Uche (Getafe, Spain)
Forwards
• Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy)
• Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray, Turkey)
• Ademola Lookman (Atalanta, Italy)
• Kelechi Iheanacho (Middlesbrough, England)
• Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany)
• Simon Moses (Nantes, France)
• Sadiq Umar (Valencia, Spain)
• Nathan Tella (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany)
• Cyriel Dessers (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland)
• Tolu Arokodare (KRC Genk, Belgium)
• Chidera Ejuke (Sevilla, Spain)
• Paul Onuachu (Southampton, England)
• Ahmed Musa (Kano Pillars, Nigeria)
• Akor Adams (Sevilla, Spain)
With this dynamic squad, the Super Eagles are more than ready to take on the challenge of securing a spot in the 2026 World Cup. The mix of experience and youthful energy promises an action-packed, nail-biting qualification campaign. Bring on the qualifiers, Chelles squad is ready!
