Could Eritrea, the East African nation known as the birthplace of Alexander Isak, unexpectedly influence Nigeria’s path to the 2026 FIFA World Cup? Recent developments suggest that Eritrea’s withdrawal from the qualifiers could shift the balance in favor of the Super Eagles, according to reports from Soccernet.ng.
In 2023, FIFA confirmed Eritrea’s exit from the 2026 World Cup qualification campaign. This move left Group E with just five teams-Morocco, Zambia, Congo, Tanzania, and Niger-altering the competitive dynamics within the group.
While Eritrea will no longer compete, its absence could indirectly affect Nigeria’s qualification prospects. Interestingly, this nation is also the ancestral home of Liverpool’s forward Alexander Isak, adding a personal dimension to the unfolding story.
How Eritrea’s Withdrawal Could Influence Nigeria’s World Cup Bid
With Eritrea’s departure, Group E now consists of five teams instead of the usual six found in the other eight groups. To maintain fairness when comparing second-placed teams across all groups, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) is anticipated to apply a rule similar to one used in 2012, which excludes results against the lowest-ranked teams in six-team groups.
This adjustment could prove advantageous for Nigeria. The Super Eagles have dropped points in matches against lower-ranked teams like Zimbabwe and Lesotho. If CAF excludes results against the bottom teams, Nigeria’s overall ranking might be less negatively impacted compared to rivals who recorded more dominant victories over these sides.
Nigeria’s Position in the Qualifiers So Far
After eight matches, Nigeria sits third in Group C, behind Benin and South Africa with 11 points. The team has struggled with consistency, drawing against Zimbabwe and Lesotho, while their only defeats came at the hands of the group leaders.
With just two fixtures remaining-an away game against Lesotho and a home match versus Benin-the Super Eagles must win both to maintain a realistic chance of topping the group or qualifying as one of the best runners-up.
Competing for a Spot Among the Best Runners-Up
Only the top four second-placed teams from the nine groups will advance to the CAF playoff round, which offers a pathway to the intercontinental playoffs. Currently, Nigeria trails Gabon, Madagascar, DR Congo, and Burkina Faso in this ranking.
The exclusion of results against the lowest-ranked teams could enhance Nigeria’s standing, depending on how other groups finalize their matches.
Why Dropping Results Against Bottom Teams Could Benefit Nigeria
This potential rule change favors Nigeria because the Super Eagles drew both games against Zimbabwe and only secured a single point in their initial match against Lesotho. As a result, fewer points would be removed from Nigeria’s total compared to teams like South Africa and Benin, who recorded wins against these lower-ranked opponents.
Since South Africa defeated Zimbabwe twice and Lesotho once, and Benin also triumphed over both teams, these nations stand to lose more points if the exclusion rule is enforced. This could tighten the competition, bringing Nigeria closer to its rivals in both group and playoff rankings.
The Decisive Final Phase
The upcoming international window in November will be critical for Nigeria’s World Cup aspirations. Every point will be crucial, and the Super Eagles cannot afford any missteps.
Regardless of CAF’s final ruling on the exclusion of results, Nigeria must aim to maximize points in their remaining fixtures to keep their qualification hopes alive.
Eritrea’s unexpected withdrawal has introduced a new variable into the African qualification process, potentially influencing which teams secure a place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The Connection Between Eritrea, Alexander Isak, and Nigeria’s World Cup Journey
Though Alexander Isak represents Sweden internationally, his heritage traces back to Eritrea. He has openly celebrated his roots, visiting the country in 2019 and highlighting its importance to his identity.
In a twist of fate, Eritrea’s decision to pull out of the World Cup qualifiers may subtly influence Nigeria’s campaign, intertwining the destinies of the Super Eagles and the homeland of one of football’s emerging talents.