Could Now Be the Ideal Time to Bet on Nigeria to Make it to the World Cup?

27-02-2025

Nigeria have made six appearances in the World Cup since their first outing in 1994, but missed out on the last competition in Qatar. Now, the Super Eagles are struggling to qualify for the 2026 event, and belief in the country is at an all-time low.
Could this be the perfect time to root for Nigeria to turn their fortunes around and make an unlikely push for inclusion in the competition in North America?

Good Odds on Nigeria Now

Nigeria are no doubt long shots for the cup, but is there a way they could cause an almighty upset and smash their way into the competition?
The sports bet markets show that the chances of Nigeria winning the World Cup are highly unlikely. But stranger things have happened in football, haven’t they? Leicester City, for instance, had longer preseason odds than that when they won the Premier League in the 2015-16 season.
So, while it may seem absurd to bet on Nigeria to win the World Cup, it may make sense to stake on the side to make it to the competition. Even though they’re languishing in fifth-place in their qualifying group with no wins after four games, they could potentially turn things around in crucial matches this year. This may not be so far-fetched, as the Super Eagles are set to come up against sides that they should usually be able to beat.

Chelle Could Revitalise Team

After their dismal start to the World Cup qualifying campaign, Nigeria opted to part ways with Augustine Eguavoen and replace him with Éric Chelle. The new boss hasn’t managed at the highest level, but he is known for his ambition. The first non-Nigerian Super Eagles head coach managed to reach the quarter-finals of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations with Mali, and he’s known for his fighting spirit.
Chelle knows that he has a huge task on his hands, but bringing in a fresh face now could be just what the team needs. The 47-year-old will be able to make the tough choices and is expected to select the best players based on merit. That could lead everyone in contention to work extra hard to impress the Frenchman.

Which African Nations Are Hotly Tipped for the World Cup?

If Nigeria make it to the World Cup, they won’t enter as one of the top African nations. A few others have climbed the rankings ahead of Nigeria in recent years, with Morocco currently the top-ranked nation from the continent.
Egypt also stand a strong chance of progressing deep into the tournament, as they have some world-class players in Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush.
Many people have written Nigeria off already due to their poor form, but there is a chance of a turnaround, even if this is at least when considering qualification.