Nigeria defeat Benin Republic 4-0 on Tuesday night to secure a place in the 2026 World Cup qualification playoffs. The Super Eagles delivered a dominant performance at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium.
Victor Osimhen led the charge with a stunning hat-trick that energized the crowd and sealed Nigeria’s victory. Frank Onyeka added a crucial fourth goal, boosting Nigeria’s goal difference and placing the team among Africa’s top runners-up.
The result confirmed Nigeria’s qualification for the 2026 World Cup playoffs, joining Gabon and Cameroon as the only African nations to have booked their spots so far.
In November 2025, Africa’s top four runners-up will compete in a mini-tournament to determine the continent’s representative in the FIFA intercontinental playoffs.
Six teams from across the world will battle for the final two places at the 2026 World Cup. Participants will include two CONCACAF teams and one each from the AFC, CAF, CONMEBOL, and OFC regions.
The two top-ranked nations will advance directly to the finals. The remaining four teams will play knockout semi-finals, and each winner will qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
Osimhen’s brilliance and renewed confidence pushed the Super Eagles within one step of qualifying for football’s biggest tournament.
