BREAKING – Ejuke returns, Akinsanmiro misses out as Eric Chelle names Super Eagles squad for World Cup Play-offs

Ahead of the CAF Play-offs for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has named a 24-man squad.

The long-awaited list has been one of the most discussed topics among Nigerians in recent weeks, with fans eagerly anticipating the final selection.

The squad sees the return of Sevilla’s Chidera Ejuke, who earns his first call-up since 2024, while in-form Paul Onuachu and out-of-favour Christantus Uche miss out.

Maduka Okoye also returns for the first time since his suspension, while Ebenezer Akinsanmiro is unavailable due to an injury sustained in Pisa’s win over Cremonese on Friday night.

Players are expected to travel to Morocco from their respective bases in Europe, with arrival in Rabat scheduled for 10th October.

24 Super Eagles for 2026 FIFA World Cup Africa Play-offs

Goalkeepers:

Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa);

Amas Obasogie (Singida Black Stars, Tanzania);

Maduka Okoye (Udinese, Italy)

Defenders:

William Troost-Ekong (Al-Kholood, Saudi Arabia);

Calvin Bassey (Fulham, England);

Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (Hull City, England);

Bright Osayi-Samuel (Birmingham City, England);

Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiakos, Greece);

Chidozie Awaziem (Nantes, France);

Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal);

Benjamin Frederick (Dender, Belgium)

Midfielders:

Alex Iwobi (Fulham, England);

Frank Onyeka (Brentford, England);

Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi (New England Revolution, USA);

Wilfred Ndidi (Beşiktaş, Turkey);

Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium)

Forwards:

Ademola Lookman (Atalanta, Italy);

Samuel Chukwueze (Fulham, England);

Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray, Turkey);

Moses Simon (Paris FC, France);

Chidera Ejuke (Sevilla, Spain);

Tolu Arokodare (Wolverhampton Wanderers, England);

Akor Adams (Sevilla, Spain);

Olakunle Olusegun (Pari Nizhny Novgorod, Russia)