The Nigeria national football team, the Super Eagles, is coached by Éric Chelle and led on the pitch by captain Wilfred Ndidi. The main stars include striker Victor Osimhen, winger Ademola Lookman, forward Samuel Chukwueze and midfielder Alex Iwobi. The full squad named for the September 2026 qualifiers is listed below.
Few national teams are followed with as much passion as the Super Eagles. Nigeria has won the Africa Cup of Nations three times, played in six World Cups and produced stars who have shone in Europe's biggest leagues. The team is now in a testing period, because it missed out on the 2026 World Cup and has started its AFCON 2027 qualifying campaign with mixed results. This guide lists the current Nigeria national football team players, explains who is in charge and what the next fixtures are, and introduces the legends who set the standard. If you also follow other national teams, you can compare this squad with our guide to the France football team players.
Nigeria National Football Team at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Nickname | Super Eagles |
| Governing body | Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) |
| Head coach | Éric Chelle |
| Captain | Wilfred Ndidi |
| Africa Cup of Nations titles | 3 (1980, 1994 and 2013) |
| Latest AFCON result | Third place at the 2025 tournament in Morocco |
| 2026 World Cup | Did not qualify |
| FIFA ranking | 30th (as of 7 October 2026) |
| Current campaign | AFCON 2027 qualifiers, Group L |
Nigeria National Football Team Players: Current Squad
The squad below is the 24-player group announced by coach Éric Chelle on 18 September 2026 for the first two AFCON 2027 qualifiers, against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau. It is based on the official announcement published by the Confederation of African Football (CAF). Nigeria also used a separate, younger group for a friendly against Russia in October, which is covered further down.
| Position | Players called up |
|---|---|
| Goalkeepers | Arthur Okonkwo, Maduka Okoye, Stanley Nwabali |
| Defenders | Bruno Onyemaechi, Isaac James, Benjamin Fredricks, Emmanuel Fernandez, Oluwasemilogo Ajayi, Calvin Bassey, Chibuike Nwaiwu, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Ola Aina |
| Midfielders | Wilfred Ndidi (captain), Alex Iwobi, Frank Onyeka and one other central midfielder |
| Forwards | Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, Samuel Chukwueze, Moses Simon, Akor Adams, Tolu Arokodare, George Ilenikhena, Moses Usor |
Three players received their first senior call-ups for these matches: goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo, defender Isaac James and striker George Ilenikhena. Goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali and defender Ola Aina were also welcomed back, while left-back Zaidu Sanusi was reported as unavailable. For the official wording, see the CAF announcement.
Notable players left out
Chelle also made some notable omissions. William Troost-Ekong, Semi Ajayi and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru were not included, and several forwards, such as Victor Boniface, Cyriel Dessers, Sadiq Umar, Nathan Tella, Terem Moffi and Taiwo Awoniyi, missed out as well. CAF did not specify the reasons in every case.
Changes for the November qualifiers
Local media have reported changes ahead of the next qualifying matches. According to OwnGoal Nigeria, defender Abdullahi Bewene was added after good performances in friendlies against Poland, Portugal and Russia, and Kelechi Iheanacho, who scored in the 3-3 draw with Russia, is also back. Osimhen was reported to be returning after missing the previous round because of fitness problems. These are media reports, so wait for the NFF's official list before treating them as final.
Key Super Eagles Players to Know
Victor Osimhen: the main striker
Victor Osimhen is the leading figure of the team. The Galatasaray forward became the first African player to finish as Serie A's top scorer when he scored 26 league goals for Napoli in their title-winning 2022-23 season. For Nigeria he has 35 goals, which puts him second on the all-time list, two behind the record held by Rashidi Yekini, according to figures published in late October 2026. He is also Nigeria's leading scorer in the UEFA Champions League, with 16 goals, as documented by UEFA.
Ademola Lookman and Samuel Chukwueze
Ademola Lookman is one of Nigeria's most creative attackers, known for his dribbling, finishing and big-match performances in European competition. Samuel Chukwueze brings pace and directness on the wing. Together with Moses Simon and Osimhen they form the attacking core of the team.
Wilfred Ndidi and the midfield
Wilfred Ndidi captains the team from midfield, where his job is to protect the defence and win the ball. Alex Iwobi, a creative player who can operate in several positions, and Frank Onyeka add experience alongside him.
The defence and goalkeepers
Calvin Bassey, Oluwasemilogo Ajayi and Bright Osayi-Samuel are the main names at the back, along with Ola Aina, who plays for Nottingham Forest. Stanley Nwabali and Maduka Okoye are the experienced goalkeepers, while Arthur Okonkwo is the newest name.
New faces from the Russia friendly
For the October friendly in Moscow, Chelle invited 13 players for the first time to widen his options. They include goalkeeper Samuel James of SJK in Finland, Fulham midfielder Chibuzo Nwoko, defender Isaac James of Alverca in Portugal and Basel centre-back Victory Akpe, as well as Stephen Michael and Igor Wilfred in midfield. Nigeria drew that match 3-3, and the experiment gives a glimpse of where the team may go in the coming years. For another example of how a coach refreshes a national squad, read about the French call-ups in our France squad guide.
Nigeria's Recent Form and Next Fixtures
The Super Eagles are currently in Group L of the AFCON 2027 qualifiers, together with Guinea-Bissau, Madagascar and Tanzania. Because Tanzania is one of the co-hosts of the tournament with Kenya and Uganda, it has already qualified, so only one place is available among Nigeria, Guinea-Bissau and Madagascar.
| Date | Match | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 25 September 2026 | Nigeria v Madagascar (Uyo) | Nigeria won 2-1, coming from behind |
| 29 September 2026 | Guinea-Bissau v Nigeria (Bissau) | Nigeria lost 3-0 |
| 6 October 2026 | Russia v Nigeria (friendly, Moscow) | 3-3 draw |
| November 2026 | Nigeria v Tanzania, then Tanzania v Nigeria | Not yet played |
After two matches, Guinea-Bissau lead the group with six points, Nigeria have three, and Madagascar and Tanzania have one each. The defeat in Bissau was heavy and has increased the pressure on Chelle, because it was the first time Nigeria had conceded three or more goals in an AFCON qualifier since a 4-4 draw with Sierra Leone in 2020. Reports give slightly different dates for the November matches against Tanzania, with the home game on 11 or 13 November and the return around 15 or 17 November, so check the NFF's official announcement for the exact schedule. A summary of the group is available from BusinessDay Nigeria.
Nigeria at the 2025 AFCON and the 2026 World Cup
The last two major campaigns tell a mixed story. Nigeria failed to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, which increased the scrutiny on the team before the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. At that tournament the Super Eagles recovered, reaching the semi-finals and finishing in third place. Osimhen scored several goals during the competition, including in the quarter-final victory over Algeria. Earlier in 2026 the team also won the Unity Cup in London.
These results explain why many fans see the squad as talented but inconsistent. The attack is among the best in Africa, while the defensive and tactical side has been a recurring discussion during Chelle's time in charge.
Greatest Nigeria National Team Players of All Time
| Player | Why he is a legend |
|---|---|
| Rashidi Yekini | Nigeria's record scorer with 37 goals; scored the country's first World Cup goal in 1994 and was top scorer when Nigeria won the 1994 AFCON |
| Nwankwo Kanu | Olympic gold medallist in 1996 and a Champions League and Premier League winner in Europe |
| Jay-Jay Okocha | One of Africa's most skilful midfielders and a star of the Golden Generation |
| Ahmed Musa | Nigeria's most-capped player with 111 appearances |
| John Obi Mikel | Champions League winner with Chelsea and a long-time midfield leader for Nigeria |
| Segun Odegbami | Winger who was part of the team that won the 1980 AFCON and held the scoring record for many years |
You can read about other football icons in our Legends section. The record numbers for Yekini and Musa come from the Nigerian press coverage listed in the sources, such as this AllAfrica report on Osimhen and the scoring record.
Where Do the Super Eagles Play Their Club Football?
One reason Nigeria remains dangerous is the variety of leagues in which its players develop. Osimhen plays in Turkey for Galatasaray, Aina in England for Nottingham Forest, and Fredricks at Brentford. Newer players are scattered across Europe and beyond, including Finland, Portugal, Switzerland, Norway, Denmark, the Czech Republic, Scotland and the United Arab Emirates, as well as a smaller number from the Nigerian league. For an example of how another national team's players are spread across leagues, see our breakdown of the France squad by league.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the coach of the Nigeria national football team?
Éric Chelle is the head coach of the Super Eagles. He also oversees the Olympic Eagles, the under-23 team.
Who is the captain of Nigeria?
Wilfred Ndidi captains the team in the current squad.
Who is Nigeria's all-time top scorer?
Rashidi Yekini, with 37 goals. Victor Osimhen is second with 35 as of late October 2026.
Who has played the most games for Nigeria?
Ahmed Musa holds the record with 111 caps.
How many times has Nigeria won the Africa Cup of Nations?
Three times: in 1980, 1994 and 2013. Nigeria also finished third at the 2025 tournament.
Did Nigeria qualify for the 2026 World Cup?
No. The Super Eagles missed out after the CAF qualifying playoffs in November 2025.
When do the Super Eagles play next?
Nigeria's next matches are the double-header against Tanzania in the AFCON 2027 qualifiers in November 2026. Check the NFF for the confirmed dates.
How many players are in a football team?
Eleven players start a match for each side, and the rules on substitutes are explained in our guide on how many players are in a football team.
Conclusion
The Nigeria national football team is built around one of Africa's best attacks, with Osimhen, Lookman and Chukwueze leading the line and Ndidi organising the team from midfield. The Super Eagles have a proud history, with three AFCON titles and an Olympic gold medal, but they now face a tough fight to reach AFCON 2027 after the defeat in Guinea-Bissau. The November games against Tanzania will show whether Chelle's mix of experience and new talent can get the campaign back on track.
Squads are updated before every international window, so check official announcements for the latest names. To keep reading about the world's best players and teams, see our guides on the world's best player in 2022 and the best football players in India.
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