Nigeria’s Super Eagles have officially canceled their planned international friendly matches against Venezuela and Colombia, which were scheduled to take place in the United States next month.
The games, initially announced by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) in September, were part of the team’s international preparation and were billed for November 14 at the Shell Energy Stadium in Houston and November 18 at Citi Field in New York. However, recent developments in Nigeria’s World Cup qualification campaign have forced a change in plans, shifting the team’s attention to more urgent competitive fixtures in Morocco.
The decision comes shortly after Nigeria secured qualification for the CAF World Cup playoffs by defeating Benin Republic in a decisive match last week. The victory placed the Super Eagles among the top teams vying for a ticket to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be hosted jointly by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
With that qualification milestone achieved, the NFF has now confirmed that the U.S. tour will no longer take place. The friendly games, though anticipated by fans and diaspora supporters, are being sacrificed for what the federation considers a more strategic focus — ensuring Nigeria qualifies for the World Cup after missing out on the 2022 edition in Qatar.
An NFF official who spoke to ESPN explained that the decision had been anticipated. “We had a clause in the contract for the games covering this eventuality,” the official said. “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.”
The official’s statement highlights the seriousness of Nigeria’s preparations and the priority placed on the upcoming playoffs, which could determine the nation’s footballing trajectory for the next two years.
According to ESPN, the CAF World Cup playoffs are scheduled to take place in Morocco between November 13 and 16. Nigeria will face Gabon in the semifinals, while the other matchup will see Cameroon taking on Congo DR.
The Super Eagles, currently ranked 41st in the FIFA world rankings, are the highest-ranked team among the four playoff contenders, giving them a psychological advantage heading into the fixtures. However, football analysts warn that rankings may count for little in the unpredictable world of African football, where determination and tactical discipline often outweigh reputation.
The winners between Nigeria and Gabon will advance to face the victor of Cameroon vs. Congo DR for Africa’s lone ticket to the intercontinental playoffs, scheduled to take place in Mexico next March. That crucial intercontinental clash will decide which team gets to compete at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Beyond the World Cup qualifiers, the matches in Morocco are also seen as early preparation for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). Nigeria, runners-up at the 2023 AFCON in Ivory Coast, have been drawn in Group C alongside Tanzania, Tunisia, and Uganda, and are set to begin their campaign on December 23 in Fez, Morocco.
Meanwhile, tickets for the canceled U.S. friendlies had already gone on sale, but ESPN reports that refund procedures will soon be announced by the match promoters. The NFF has urged fans to remain patient and supportive, emphasizing that the team’s primary focus must be qualification for the World Cup.
“This is about the bigger picture,” said another NFF insider. “Our dream is to see the Super Eagles back on the biggest football stage. Every decision we make now is geared toward that goal.” For now, the nation’s attention turns to Morocco, where the road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup begins in earnest.