Nigeria’s national team coach, Éric Chelle, has released a provisional list of 39 players ahead of the crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against Rwanda and Zimbabwe on Friday, March 21 and Tuesday 25, 2025.

The Provisional squad includes a mix of experienced players and new faces, with goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, defenders William Ekong and Calvin Bassey, midfielders Alex Iwobi and Wilfred Ndidi, and forwards Ademola Lookman, Victor Osimhen, and Simon Moses all named.

Notable newcomers include defenders Igoh Ogbu and Ifeanyi Onyebuchi, midfielders Anthony Dennis and Chrisantus Uche, and forwards Tolu Arokodare and Jerome Akor Adams.

The Super Eagles will face Rwanda in Kigali on March 21 before hosting Zimbabwe at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on March 25. Nigeria currently sits fifth in Group C, behind Rwanda, South Africa, Benin Republic, and Lesotho.

Chelle’s squad will be trimmed to 23 players before the matches.

Nigeria’s Provisional Squad:

Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali, Maduka Okoye, Amas Obasogie, Adeleye Adebayo, Kayode Bankole

Defenders: William Ekong, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Bruno Onyemaechi, Gabriel Osho, Calvin Bassey, Olaoluwa Aina, Zaidu Sanusi, Igoh Ogbu, Jordan Torunarigha, Ifeanyi Onyebuchi

Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi, Raphael Onyedika, Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Frank Onyeka, Alex Iwobi, Joseph Ayodele-Aribo, Anthony Dennis, Chrisantus Uche, Papa Daniel Mustapha

Forwards: Samuel Chukwueze, Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, Kelechi Iheanacho, Victor Boniface, Simon Moses, Sadiq Umar, Nathan Tella, Cyriel Dessers, Tolu Arokodare, Chidera Ejuke, Paul Onuachu, Ahmed Musa, Jerome Akor Adams.