Nigeria’s Super Eagles have scrapped their planned international friendlies against Venezuela and Colombia in the United States next month, as attention shifts to their all-important CAF World Cup playoffs in Morocco.
The friendlies — originally scheduled for November 14 in Houston and November 18 in New York — were part of the team’s international tour announced in September by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF). However, following Nigeria’s recent qualification for the playoffs after a decisive win over Benin Republic, the NFF has confirmed the U.S. trip is off.
“We had a clause in the contract for the games covering this eventuality. Since we’ve qualified for the playoffs, we will not be going ahead with the matches. Our goal now is to concentrate fully on qualifying for the World Cup,” an NFF official told ESPN.
Focus Shifts to Morocco Showdown
The Super Eagles will now prepare for the CAF World Cup playoffs, set for November 13–16 in Morocco. Nigeria are set to face Gabon in the semifinals, while Cameroon and Congo DR meet in the other tie.
Ranked 41st in the world, Nigeria are the highest-ranked team in the playoff lineup and favourites to secure Africa’s lone ticket to the intercontinental playoffs in Mexico next March — the final hurdle before qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
AFCON 2025 Also on the Horizon
The Morocco fixtures double as an early test for AFCON 2025, where Nigeria are drawn in Group C alongside Tanzania, Tunisia, and Uganda.
The Super Eagles will kick off their continental campaign on December 23 in Fez, aiming to go one better after finishing runners-up at the 2023 edition in Ivory Coast.
Refunds for U.S. Fans
Tickets for the canceled friendlies had already gone on sale, but refund procedures are expected to be announced soon, according to ESPN.
For now, the message from the NFF is clear — no distractions, no detours.
The focus is singular: get to the 2026 World Cup and reclaim Nigeria’s place among football’s global elite.