Following Nigeria’s qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup playoffs, the scheduled international friendly matches against Venezuela and Colombia in November could be called off.
The Super Eagles secured their playoff berth after a dominant 4–0 victory over Benin, finishing second in their qualifying group.
The new playoff draw sees Nigeria set to battle Gabon, Cameroon, and DR Congo for a place in the World Cup to be co-hosted by the USA, Canada, and Mexico.
With the playoffs expected to take place around the same period, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) may now shelve the friendly encounters to allow the team adequate time for preparation and avoid fixture congestion.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) may have unanimously decided to cancel the proposed international friendly with Venezuela and Colombia, scheduled for the USA in November.
A decent source at the Sunday Dankaro House revealed that the country’s soccer-governing body, during one of its closed-door meetings, called off the two friendlies after the Super Eagles qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup playoffs in Morocco next month.
The decision, according to the NFF, is to allow the players to focus on the plays, taking into account that the two friendlies clashed with the playoff date.
Additionally, a clause in the contract for these friendlies stipulates that the matches will be cancelled should the Super Eagles qualify for the World Cup Playoffs.
”The friendlies have been called off because the date clashed with World Cup playoffs slated for Morocco in November,;; begins a top NFF official who pleaded anonymity
”Besides, the clause in the friendlies allows cancellation should Super Eagles qualify for the 2026 World Cup,” he told the Guardian.
Nigeria is set to face Venezuela on November 14 and Colombia on November 18. The Super Eagles will play Gabon in the World Cup Playoffs semifinal on November 13 in Morocco, with the final scheduled for November 16.
Head coach Eric Chelle is expected to focus on building his squad and strategy for the crucial playoff fixtures, which will determine whether the Super Eagles return to the World Cup after missing out on the 2022 edition in Qatar.
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