Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has unveiled his first provisional squad list as he begins preparations for this month’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, Soccernet.ng reports.
Nigeria will take on Rwanda in Kigali on March 21 before hosting Zimbabwe in Uyo four days later — two crucial matches as the Super Eagles look to revive their faltering qualification campaign.
Appointed in January as the first non-Nigerian African to coach the Super Eagles, Chelle has largely kept faith with the core of the squad that finished second at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
The 39-man squad comprises five goalkeepers, ten defenders, ten midfielders, and 14 attackers.
Captain William Troost-Ekong, who won the Player of the Tournament award at AFCON, leads the defensive line alongside Calvin Bassey (Fulham), Ola Aina (Nottingham Forest), and Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiacos).
In midfield, Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City) returns to the fold alongside Alex Iwobi (Fulham) and Frank Onyeka (Augsburg).
The attack is headlined by Victor Osimhen, Nigeria’s second all-time top goalscorer currently on loan at Galatasaray, while Ademola Lookman — the reigning African Footballer of the Year — is also included.
There are several new names and faces in the enlarged team list.
Slavia Prague defender Igoh Ogbu, Enugu Rangers strongman Ifeanyi Onyebuchi, CHAN Eagles star Papa Daniel Mustapha, Turkey-based Anthony Dennis and new Sevilla boys Akor Adams also make Chelle’s squad.
Getafe youngster Christantus Uche and Genk forward Tolu Arokodare earn first time callups while there is a return to the national fold for captain Ahmed Musa, Nathan Tella, Paul Onuachu, Jordan Torunarigha and Cyriel Dessers.
FULL SUPER EAGLES SQUAD LIST
Roster for #2026WCQ vs Rwanda and Zimbabwe #SoarSuperEagles pic.twitter.com/rljpOZkyyd
— Super Eagles (@NGSuperEagles) March 4, 2025
Goalkeepers
- Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa),
- Maduka Okoye (Udinese, Italy),
- Amas Obasogie (Singida Black Stars, Tanzania),
- Adeleye Adebayo (Enosis Neon Paralimni, Cyprus),
- Kayode Bankole (Remo Stars, Nigeria)
Defenders
- William Ekong (Al Khalood, Saudi Arabia),
- Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce, Turkey),
- Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiacos, Greece),
- Gabriel Osho (AJ Auxerre, France),
- Calvin Bassey (Fulham, England),
- Ola Aina (Nottingham Forest, England),
- Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal),
- Igoh Ogbu (Slavia Prague, Czech Republic),
- Jordan Torunarigha (Gent, Belgium),
- Ifeanyi Onyebuchi (Enugu Rangers, Nigeria)
Midfielders
- Papa Daniel Mustapha (Niger Tornadoes, Nigeria),
- Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England),
- Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium),
- Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi (New England, USA),
- Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (SS Lazio, Italy),
- Frank Onyeka (Augsburg, Germany),
- Alex Iwobi (Fulham, England), Joseph
- Ayodele-Aribo (Southampton, England),
- Anthony Dennis (Goztepe, Turkey),
- Christantus Uche (Getafe, Spain)
Forwards
- Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy),
- Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray, Turkey),
- Ademola Lookman (Atalanta, Italy),
- Kelechi Iheanacho (Middlesbrough, England),
- Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany),
- Simon Moses (Nantes, France),
- Sadiq Umar (Valencia, Spain),
- Nathan Tella (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany),
- Cyriel Dessers (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland),
- Tolu Arokodare (KRC Genk, Belgium),
- Chidera Ejuke (Sevilla, Spain),
- Paul Onuachu (Southampton, England),
- Ahmed Musa (Kano Pillars, Nigeria),
- Akor Adams (Sevilla, Spain)