Finidi George, the newly appointed head coach of the Super Eagles, has announced his 23-man squad for the upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
The list, unveiled in a statement by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on Friday, retains the core of the team that secured a silver medal at the recent Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cote d’Ivoire.
Finidi’s selection features 16 players from the impressive AFCON squad, including key figures such as Ademola Lookman, Victor Osimhen, and Victor Boniface. Defenders Calvin Bassey and Semi Ajayi also make the cut, reinforcing the squad’s defensive line.
Maduka Okoye marks his return to the national team after a significant hiatus, having last played for the Eagles in the 1-0 defeat to Tunisia during the second round of the AFCON held in Cameroon in 2022.
The Udinese goalkeeper is joined by Stanley Nwabali and Ojo Olorunleke in the goalkeeping department.
A notable inclusion is Remo Stars’ Sadiq Ismael, who receives his first call-up as the only outfield home-based player on the team, highlighting the domestic league’s talent pool.
The Super Eagles are set to play against South Africa at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on June 7, before traveling to Abidjan to face Benin Republic at the Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny on June 10.
FULL SQUAD LIST
Goalkeepers:
- Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa)
- Maduka Okoye (Udinese FC, Italy)
- Ojo Olorunleke (Enyimba FC)
Defenders:
- Chidozie Awaziem (Boavista FC, Portugal)
- Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce FC, Turkey)
- Sadiq Ismael (Remo Stars FC)
- Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion, England)
- Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England)
- Benjamin Tanimu (Ihefu SC, Tanzania)
Midfielders:
- Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England)
- Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium)
- Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi (Royal Antwerp FC, Belgium)
- Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England)
- Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England)
- Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (Hatayspor, Turkey)
Forwards:
- Nathan Tella (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany)
- Victor Osimhen (SSC Napoli, Italy)
- Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England)
- Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy)
- Paul Onuachu (Trabzonspor FC, Turkey)
- Ademola Lookman (Atalanta FC, Italy)
- Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany)
- Terem Moffi (OGC Nice, France)
