THE Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has officially confirmed the cancellation of the Super Eagles’ scheduled international friendly matches against Venezuela and Colombia in the United States, following the team’s qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup play-offs.
News Point Nigeria Sports reports that the matches, which were to be played in Houston and New York next month, were scrapped due to scheduling conflicts with the Confederation of African Football (CAF)’s play-off fixtures.
Speaking with journalists on Monday, NFF Director of Communications, Dr. Ademola Olajire, explained that the decision was inevitable once Nigeria booked a play-off spot.
“Yes, we have cancelled it, and it is automatic,” Olajire said.
“It is bound to happen if we qualify for the play-offs. There is no way we can participate in the play-offs on November 13 and 16 and still play the friendlies.”
The two international friendlies, arranged through the NFF’s FIFA-licensed match agent, Jairo Pachón of Eurodata Sport were initially fixed for November 14 and 18, with the Super Eagles billed to face Venezuela at the Shell Energy Stadium in Houston before clashing with Colombia at Citi Field in Queens, New York.
The games were intended to form part of Nigeria’s build-up to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), providing the technical crew an opportunity to test new players and combinations ahead of major competitions.
However, CAF’s scheduling of the World Cup play-offs between November 13 and 16 in Morocco made participation impossible.
Nigeria sealed their play-off qualification in emphatic fashion after thrashing Benin Republic 4–0 in Uyo during the last international window. Napoli striker Victor Osimhen netted a hat-trick, while Brentford’s Frank Onyeka added a late goal to cap off a commanding performance.
The victory ensured Nigeria finished among Africa’s four best runners-up, earning a place in the additional play-off round of the continent’s qualification series.
Under CAF’s revised qualification format, only the nine group winners qualify automatically for the 2026 FIFA World Cup to be co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, while the four best runners-up proceed to a play-off mini-tournament.
The play-off will feature two semi-final matches, Nigeria versus Gabon, and Cameroon versus DR Congo both scheduled for November 13. The winners of each tie will meet in a final on November 16, with the champion advancing to the inter-confederation play-offs for a last chance at securing a World Cup berth.
While the NFF expressed disappointment at having to call off the high-profile friendlies, officials insisted that national interest and qualification priorities must come first.
A senior NFF official told News Point Nigeria Sports that the federation remains in touch with the U.S.-based organizers and hopes to revisit the friendlies at a later date.
“The matches were part of a broader plan to market the Super Eagles brand globally,” the official said. “But qualification for the World Cup play-offs takes precedence. We hope to reschedule once CAF’s calendar allows.”
The Super Eagles are now expected to regroup in early November to begin preparations for the decisive World Cup play-off encounters in Morocco, which could determine Nigeria’s return to the world’s biggest football stage.