Eric Sekou Chelle has unveiled a 31-man provisional list ahead of next month’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying fixtures against Rwanda and South Africa.
The squad features captain William Troost-Ekong, first-choice goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, defenders Ola Aina and Calvin Bassey, midfielders Alex Iwobi and Wilfred Ndidi, as well as attacking trio Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, and Moses Simon.
Chelle also handed opportunities to youthful talents including goalkeeper Ebenezer Harcourt, defenders Bright Osayi-Samuel and Bruno Onyemaechi, midfielders Raphael Onyedika, Frank Onyeka, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, and forwards Sadiq Umar and Nathan Tella.
New faces such as Benjamin Fredericks, Felix Agu, Igoh Ogbu, Christantus Uche, and Cyriel Dessers who impressed during Nigeria’s triumphant run at the 2025 Unity Cup in London also make the cut. There are recalls for goalkeeper Adeleye Adebayo, defender Chidozie Awaziem, and forward Terem Moffi.
Nigeria, currently fourth in Group C, will host Rwanda at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo, on Saturday, 6th September, before traveling to Bloemfontein to face South Africa on Tuesday, 9th September. The Super Eagles camp officially opens in Uyo on Monday, 1st September.
Provisional 31-Man Squad
Goalkeepers:
Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa); Amas Obasogie (Singida Blackstars, Tanzania); Adeleye Adebayo (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 Fredericks (Dender, Belgium)
Midfielders:
Alex Iwobi (Fulham, England); Frank Onyeka (Brentford, England); Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi (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 (OGC Nice, France); Adams Akor (Sevilla, Spain)
