2026 World Cup Playoffs: NFF Cancels Colombia, Venezuela Friendlies

2026 World Cup Playoffs: NFF Cancels Colombia, Venezuela Friendlies

Sampson Adedeji

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has reportedly cancelled the proposed international friendlies against Venezuela and Colombia scheduled to take place in the United States this November, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

According to a reliable source at the Sunday Dankaro House, the decision was reached during a closed-door meeting of the NFF Executive Committee following Nigeria’s qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup African playoffs, which will hold in Morocco next month.

The federation explained that the cancellation became necessary to enable the Super Eagles focus fully on the crucial playoff matches, as the friendly fixtures coincided with the playoff dates.

 “The friendlies have been called off because their dates clashed with the World Cup playoffs slated for Morocco in November,” a top NFF official told The Guardian under anonymity.

“Besides, there’s a clause in the friendly match agreements that allows cancellation if the Super Eagles qualify for the World Cup playoffs.”

Nigeria was initially scheduled to face Venezuela on November 14 and Colombia on November 18.

However, the Super Eagles will now turn their attention to the World Cup playoffs with a semifinal clash against Gabon set for November 13 in Morocco, and the final billed for November 16.