Nigeria v Gabon live: Super Eagles battle Panthers in must-win World Cup 2026 play-off | OneFootball

Nigeria need to go through the play-offs if they are to reach the World Cup (AP)

Nigeria host Gabon today in a defining play-off which will take the winner one step closer to qualifying for the World Cup in 2026.

The Super Eagles endured a poor start to the qualifying campaign but produced a fantastic, and much-needed, winning run in their last few matches to force their way into the play-offs. That included a thrashing of Benin which sent Nigeria into the top two of African qualifying Group C.

They now take on Gabon who easily secured a play-off spot by finishing 12 points ahead of Gambia in Group F. The Panthers missed out on the automatic spot by one point, with Ivory Coast topping the group instead, but they will be confident about today’s encounter.

They are unbeaten in their last seven competitive matches and know that beating Nigeria will put them closer to the World Cup. The winner of this tie will face either Congo or Cameroon in the play-off final, with the winner of that heading to the intercontinental play-offs for a place at next summer’s tournament.

Follow along for the latest updates from the African World Cup qualifying play-offs:

Who can qualify for the World Cup this week?

World Cup qualifying is hurtling towards a conclusion with some of the final places ahead of the tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico up for grabs over the next two weeks.

So far, 28 teams have booked their places in what has already been a historic campaign for three first-time qualifiers, with Jordan, Uzbekistan and the Cape Verde islands all through to the 48-team finals.

Jamie Braidwood breaks down who can ensure their participation at next summer’s finals:

Who can qualify for the World Cup this week?

Norway, Jamaica and Scotland are among the countries attempting to qualify for the World Cup over the next two weeks

Jamie Braidwood13 November 2025 14:00

Nigeria vs Gabon live

Nigeria host Gabon today in a defining play-off which will take the winner one step closer to qualifying for the World Cup in 2026.

The Super Eagles endured a poor start to the qualifying campaign but produced a fantastic, and much-needed, winning run in their last few matches to force their way into the play-offs. That included a thrashing of Benin which sent Nigeria into the top two of African qualifying Group C.

They now take on Gabon who easily secured a play-off spot by finishing 12 points ahead of Gambia in Group F. The Panthers missed out on the automatic spot by one point, with Ivory Coast topping the group instead, but they will be confident about today’s encounter.

They are unbeaten in their last seven competitive matches and know that beating Nigeria will put them within touching distance of the World Cup. The winner of this tie will face either Congo or Cameroon in the play-off final.

(AP)

Will Castle13 November 2025 13:00