Nigeria pull out of US friendlies

Nigeria have been forced to cancel two friendly internationals in the United States next month after qualifying for the World Cup African playoffs.

The Nigeria Football Federation agreed to play against Venezuela on 14 November and Colombia on 18 November, either anticipating they would win their World Cup qualifying group or be knocked out of the running for the 2026 finals.

But they finished second to South Africa in Group C and now proceed to the playoffs for the four best runners-up from the African groups.

Nigeria will take on Gabon, and Cameroon will play the Democratic Republic of Congo in Morocco next month, with the winners of the playoff advancing to an intercontinental playoff tournament in March from which the last two World Cup places will be decided.

Nigeria had fixed to play Venezuela on 14 October in Houston and Colombia at Citi Field in New York four days later.

South Africa have yet to announce any November friendlies, but it is not known if the South African Football Association is aware of the opportunity of potentially standing in for the Nigerians.

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