Nigeria v Gabon live: Super Eagles battle Panthers in must-win World Cup 2026 play-off

Gabon XI: Mbaba; Ecuele, Ekomie, Oyono; Appindangoyé, Lemina, Openda, Ndong, Poko, Bouanga, Aubameyang.

The top two finishers in each group will qualify automatically for the last-32, along with the eight best third-placed teams.

The ranking of the third-placed teams will be determined by points, then goal difference, then goals scored. If two or more teams are still level, then “team conduct scores” will come into play (a yellow card is minus one point, a red card via two yellow cards is minus three points, and a straight red card is minus four). If still equal, the team with the highest world ranking will progress.

Less than 20 minutes until kick-off in Rabat… and still we wait for the Gabon XI.

Here’s a reminder of who we think will play.

Predicted Gabon XI: Mbaba; Onfia, M’bemba, Manga; Lemina, Kanga, Ndong, Averlant; Obiang, Bouanga, Aubameyang.

The 48 nations will be divided into 12 groups containing four teams each, one from each of four draw pots.

Pot one will contain the three host nations – USA, Canada and Mexico – plus the nine top countries in the Fifa world rankings who have qualified for the tournament. Already, Mexico have been assigned Group A, Canada to Group B and the USA to Group C.

Pots two, three and four will contain the next 12 best-ranked sides in order so that, theoretically, the groups will be balanced and the best teams will be kept separate until the knockout rounds.

Teams from the same confederation will be kept apart in the group stage, except for Europe where there are more teams (16) than groups. No group will have more than two European nations.

The draw for the 2026 World Cup will take place at 5pm GMT/12pm EST on Friday 5 December, at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC. The US president Donald Trump is expected to be in attendance.

We’ll bring you Gabon’s line-up as soon as we have it…

Eric Chelle has not held back with his attacking force with his side’s World Cup participation at stake.

He starts Victor Osimhen and Akor Adams up top with Ademola Lookman likely to play just behind the two strikers. Samuel Chukwueze and Alex Iwobi will be expected to occupy either wing, with Wilfred Ndidi captaining the side in the hole to form a diamond.

Calvin Bassey and Benjamin Fredrick will marshal the defence as the Super Eagles’ centre-back pairing.

Nigeria XI: Nwabali; Osayi-Samuel, Fredrick, Bassey, Sanusi; Ndidi, Chukwueze, Iwobi, Lookman; Adams, Osimhen.

We’re expecting team news in a few minutes – here’s a reminder of what we know so far…

Nigeria boss Eric Chelle has close to a full-strength squad available, welcoming Ademola Lookman back from suspension to join Victor Osimhen and Samuel Chukwueze in attack. The only injury involving the Super Eagles regards Ola Aina, who has been out for a couple of months.

Gabon are also buoyed by a returning attacking talent, with talisman Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang similarly back in contention after serving a suspension. They are without without several key players due to injury, however, including Jim Allevinah, Shavy Babicka, Medwin Biteghe, Michel Mboula and Junior Noubi Fotso.

This afternoon’s clash between Nigeria and Gabon is only one half of the play-off, with Cameroon and DR Congo clashing later today to see who will face the winner here.

Cameroon hold the record for most apprearances by an African nation at the tournament but the eight-time participants must now go down the perilous play-off path after surrendering their lead at the top of Group D.

DR Congo, meanwhile, are hoping to stun the Indomitable Lions in pursuit of a first World Cup appearance since 1974, one which came as Zaire.

The game kicks off at 7pm GMT, also in Rabat, and is available to stream on Fifa+.

The CAF play-off final will be held on Sunday, where the final African participant in next summer’s World Cup will be decided.