2026 WCQ: Nigeria sit 8th in second-best loser race [Full list]

Super Eagles of Nigeria are now in eighth place in the ranking for the second-best loser spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

This follows their 1-1 draw against South Africa on Tuesday evening.

William Troost-Ekong’s own goal and Calvin Bassey’s header ensured both Eric Chelle’s side and Bafana Bafana shared the points in Bloemfontein.

The result leaves Nigeria in second place in Group C with 11 points, six points adrift of leaders South Africa.

DAILY POST reports that Gabon currently tops the second-best loser ranking with 18 points from seven matches.

They are followed by Madagascar (16 points from 8 matches), DR Congo (16 points from 8 matches), Burkina Faso (15 points from 8 matches), Cameroon (15 points from 8 matches), Namibia (15 points from 8 matches) and Uganda (15 points from 8 matches).

Nigeria sit in eighth with 11 points from 8 matches, ahead of Tanzania who have 10 points from 8 matches.

Only the top four teams in the second-best loser ranking will contest a play-off for a single World Cup slot.