Nigeria restart their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign with a home clash against Rwanda on September 6.
The Super Eagles are playing catch up in Group C, with six out of 10 qualifiers played, and just one win on the board.
New boss Eric Chelle secured four points from his first two qualifiers in charge in March but they are currently six points off group leaders South Africa.
Only top spot will be enough to secure an automatic place in the tournament next summer, and both sides are in a likely race for second place, with Rwanda one point ahead of their hosts on eight.
MORE: Updated list of teams qualified for 2026 FIFA World Cup
Nigeria vs. Rwanda lineups: Predicted starting XI, team news, rosters
Chelle has seven Premier League players in his squad for these key matches, with Calvin Bassey, Ola Aina and Alex Iwobi all set to start.
Samuel Chukwueze completed a deadline-day loan move to join Iwobi at Fulham and will line up alongside Victor Osimhen in attack.
Osimhen will be under pressure to fire for Nigeria with Chelle opting against calling several key forwards, including Victor Boniface, Umar Sadiq and Taiwo Awoniyi.
Nigeria predicted starting XI (4-1-3-2, right to left): Nwabali (GK) — Osayii-Samuel, Bassey, Troost-Ekong, Aina — Ndidi — Iwobi, Onyeka, Lookman — Osimhen, Chukwueze.
Injured: None
Suspended: None
Nigeria full roster
Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali, Adebayo Adeleye, Amas, Obasogie.
Defenders: William Troost-Ekong, Ola Aina, Chidozie Awaziem, Calvin Bassey, Bright Oyasi-Samuel, Bruno Onyemaechi, Felix Agu, Benjamin Fredrick.
Midfielders: Alex Iwobi, Wifred Ndidi, Frank Onyeka, Raphael Onyedika, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Christantus Uche.
Forwards: Moses Simon, Samuel Chukwueze, Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, Cyriel Dessers, Tolu Arokodare.
Rwanda are led by veteran coach Adel Amrouche, who has previously managed Burundi, Kenya, Libya, Botswana, Yemen and Tanzania.
The majority of his squad are based domestically in Rwanda, but Rhode Island FC forward Jojea Kwizera is the player to watch with two goals in qualification already.
Rwanda predicted starting XI (4-4-2, right to left): Ntwari (GK) — Omborenga, Mutsinzi, Manzi, Niyomugabo — Muhire, Bizimana, K. Mugisha, Nshuti — Kwizera, Biramahire.
Injured: None
Suspended: None
Rwanda full roster
Goalkeepers: Fiacre Ntwari, Pierre Ishimwe, Clement Twizere Buhake.
Defenders: Fitina Omborenga, Thierry Manzi, Ange Mutsinzi, Claude Niyomugabo, Aly-Enzo Hamon, Phanuel Kavita, Alexis Nduwayo, Darryl Nkulikiyimana, Emmanuel Nshimiyimana.
Midfielders: Dijhad Bizimana, Kevin Muhire, Bonheur Mugisha, Jojea Kwizera, Bryan Ngwabije, Claude Kayibanda.
Forwards: Innocent Nshuti, Gilbert Mugisha, Abeddy Birmahire, Arthur Gitego, Anicet Ishimwe.
Nigeria vs. Rwanda match details
- Date: Saturday, September 6, 2025
- Kickoff time: 5 p.m. local / 12 p.m. ET / 9 a.m. PT / 2 a.m. AEST [September 7]
- Location: Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo, Nigeria.
- Competition: 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifier
- Referee: Alhadji Allaou Mahamat