Super Eagles provisional squad for WCQs: Osimhen, Lookman, Ndidi, Iwobi, Iheanacho, Dessers, Aribo in

Eric Chelle, the head coach of Nigeria’s Super Eagles, has unveiled a provisional squad of 39 players for the upcoming 2026 Fifa World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and Zimbabwe.

The squad list was announced on the Super Eagles’ official X handle on Tuesday, March 4.

Chelle, who recently took charge of the team, has blended experience with fresh talent in his first squad selection.

Captain Ahmed Musa makes a return alongside vice-captain William Troost-Ekong and Joe Aribo.

The Premier League contingent, in addition to the Southampton midfielder, includes Fulham's Alex Iwobi and Calvin Bassey, Wilfred Ndidi from Leicester City, Nottingham Forest's Ola Aina, and Saints striker Paul Onuachu.

Rangers striker Cyriel Dessers has been named in the provisional squad while Racing Genk's Tolu Arokodare is in contention to earn his first call-up.

Former Fifa U17 World Cup winners Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray), Kelechi Iheanacho (Middlesbrough), Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan) have also been listed, alongside reigning African Footballer of the Year Ademola Lookman. 

The Super Eagles will begin their qualification campaign with an away match against Rwanda in Kigali on March 21 before hosting Zimbabwe on March 25.

Chelle’s selection highlights a mix of experienced internationals and emerging stars, with Nigeria aiming to secure maximum points in the qualifiers.

The return of key players like Musa is expected to provide leadership, while the inclusion of fresh talents offers new options for the squad.

Super Eagles provisional squad for 2026 World Cup qualifiers in March 2025

Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa), Maduka Okoye (Udinese, Italy), Amas Obasogie (Singida Black Stars, Tanzania), Adeleye Adebayo (Enosis Neon Paralimni, Cyprus), Kayode Bankole (Remo Stars, Nigeria)

Defenders: William Ekong (Al Khalood, Saudi Arabia), Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce, Turkey), Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiacos, Greece), Gabriel Osho (AJ Auxerre, France), Calvin Bassey (Fulham, England), Ola Aina (Nottingham Forest, England), Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal), Igoh Ogbu (Slavia Prague, Czech Republic), Jordan Torunarigha (Gent, Belgium), Ifeanyi Onyebuchi (Enugu Rangers, Nigeria)

Midfielders: Papa Daniel Mustapha (Niger Tornadoes, Nigeria), Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England), Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium), Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi (New England, USA), Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (SS Lazio, Italy), Frank Onyeka (Augsburg, Germany), Alex Iwobi (Fulham, England), Joseph Ayodele-Aribo (Southampton, England), Anthony Dennis (Goztepe, Turkey), Christantus Uche (Getafe, Spain)

Forwards: Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy), Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray, Turkey), Ademola Lookman (Atalanta, Italy), Kelechi Iheanacho (Middlesbrough, England), Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany), Simon Moses (Nantes, France), Sadiq Umar (Valencia, Spain),Nathan Tella (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany), Cyriel Dessers (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland), Tolu Arokodare (KRC Genk, Belgium), Chidera Ejuke (Sevilla, Spain), Paul Onuachu (Southampton, England), Ahmed Musa (Kano Pillars, Nigeria), Akor Adams (Sevilla, Spain)
 

Wale Adejumo

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