Super Eagles head coach Eric Sekou Chelle has released a provisional squad of 31 players for Nigeria’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against Rwanda and South Africa next month.
The list includes captain William Troost-Ekong, first-choice goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, defenders Ola Aina and Calvin Bassey, midfielders Alex Iwobi and Wilfred Ndidi, as well as forwards Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, and Moses Simon.
There is also room for 15-year-old goalkeeper Ebenezer Harcourt, who impressed in his debut for the home-based Eagles at the African Nations Championship. Other notable names include Bright Osayi-Samuel, Bruno Onyemaechi, Raphael Onyedika, Frank Onyeka, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Sadiq Umar, and Nathan Tella.
Young defender Benjamin Frederick, along with Felix Agu, Igoh Ogbu, Christantus Uche, and Cyriel Dessers, are rewarded for their performances at the Unity Cup in London, where Nigeria lifted the trophy earlier this year. Goalkeeper Adebayo Adeleye, defender Chidozie Awaziem, and striker Terem Moffi also make a return to the squad.
Nigeria, who are currently fourth in their group, will face Rwanda at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Saturday, 6th September, before travelling to Bloemfontein to take on South Africa on Tuesday, 9th September.
The team’s training camp will officially open in Uyo on Monday, 1st September.
Full Provisional List (31 players)
Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa); Amas Obasogie (Singida Blackstars, Tanzania); Adebayo Adeleye (Volos FC, Greece); Ebenezer Harcourt (Sporting FC).
Defenders: William Troost-Ekong (Al-Kholood, Saudi Arabia); Calvin Bassey (Fulham, England); Ola Aina (Nottingham Forest, England); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Birmingham City, England); Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiakos, Greece); Igoh Ogbu (Slavia Prague, Czech Republic); Chidozie Awaziem (Nantes, France); Felix Agu (Werder Bremen, Germany); Benjamin Frederick (Dender, Belgium).
Midfielders: Alex Iwobi (Fulham, England); Frank Onyeka (Brentford, England); Alhassan Yusuf (New England Revolution, USA); Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas, Turkey); Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (Lazio, Italy); Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium); Christantus Uche (Getafe, Spain).
Forwards: Ademola Lookman (Atalanta, Italy); Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy); Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray, Turkey); Moses Simon (Paris FC, France); Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany); Cyriel Dessers (Rangers, Scotland); Sadiq Umar (Real Sociedad, Spain); Nathan Tella (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany); Tolu Arokodare (Genk, Belgium); Terem Moffi (Nice, France); Akor Adams (Sevilla, Spain).