Nigeria squad announcement: Chelsea and Arsenal products named in provisional WCQ list, Boniface in

The Nigeria Football Federation have announced a 31-man provisional squad for next month's 2026 Fifa World Cup qualifying matches against Rwanda and South Africa.

Super Eagles boss Eric Chelle has named Arsenal Hale End Academy graduates Alex Iwobi and Nathan Tella in his latest squad, with Chelsea academy product Ola Aina also earning a call-up.

AC Milan-bound striker Victor Boniface has also been included in the provisional squad unveiled on Friday evening.

Team captain William Troost-Ekong, first-choice goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, Fulham star Calvin Bassey, Besiktas new boy Wilfred Ndidi, Galatasaray ace Victor Osimhen and Atalanta dazzler Ademola Lookman have all been selected.

The provisional list also features youthful goalkeeper Ebenezer Harcourt, defenders Bright Osayi-Samuel and Bruno Onyemaechi, midfield trio Raphael Onyedika, Frank Onyeka and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru as well as striker Sadiq Umar.

Rising defender Benjamin Fredericks joins fellow rearguard options Felix Agu and Igoh Ogbu, while Christantus Uche is included in midfield and Cyriel Dessers earns a spot in attack after impressing at the 2025 Unity Cup in London, where Nigeria lifted the trophy. 

There are also recalls for goalkeeper Adebayo Adeleye, defender Chidozie Awaziem and forward Terem Moffi.

Nigeria, currently fourth in the standings, will host Rwanda at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium on Saturday, 6 September in a Matchday 7 clash, before travelling to Bloemfontein to face South Africa in a potentially decisive Matchday 8 fixture on Tuesday, 9 September.

Super Eagles' 31-man provisional squad for WCQs against Rwanda and South Africa

Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa); Amas Obasogie (Singida Blackstars, Tanzania); Adeleye Adebayo (Volos FC, Greece); Ebenezer Harcourt (Sporting FC)

Defenders: William Ekong (Al-Kholood, Saudi Arabia); Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Olaoluwa Aina (Nottingham Forest, England); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Birmingham City, England); Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiakos, Greece); Igoh Ogbu (SK Slavia Prague, Czech Republic); Chidozie Awaziem (Nantes FC, France); Felix Agu (Werder Bremen, Germany); Benjamin Fredericks (Dender FC, Belgium)

Midfielders: Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England); Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England); Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi (New England Revolution, USA); Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas FC, Turkey); Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (SS Lazio, Italy); Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium); Christantus Uche (Getafe CF, Spain)

Forwards: Ademola Lookman (Atalanta BC, Italy); Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy); Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray FC, Turkey); Simon Moses (Paris FC, France); Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany); Cyriel Dessers (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland); Sadiq Umar (Real Sociedad, Spain); Nathan Tella (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany); Tolu Arokodare (KRC Genk, Belgium); Terem Moffi (OGC Nice, France); Adams Akor (Sevilla FC, Spain)

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

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