Shock call-up! Eric Chelle names 15-year-old alongside Osimhen, Dessers for World Cup

Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has sprung a massive shock ahead of Nigeria’s crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, naming a blockbuster 31-man provisional squad that features a sensational 15-year-old wonderkid Ebenezer Harcourt alongside established stars like Victor Osimhen and Cyriel Dessers.

Captain William Troost-Ekong leads the list, which includes first-choice goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, defenders Olaoluwa Aina and Calvin Bassey, midfield stalwarts Alex Iwobi and Wilfred Ndidi, and attacking talents Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, and Simon Moses.

Adding youthful energy to the squad shared on social media are goalkeeper Harcourt, 15, who made history at the CHAN 2024 as Nigeria’s youngest-ever player, defenders Bright Osayi-Samuel and Bruno Onyemaechi, join Raphael Onyedika, Frank Onyeka, and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru in the team.

Benjamin Frederick is rewarded for his Unity Cup briliance, joining fellow defenders Felix Agu and Igoh Ogbu, midfielder Christantus Uche, and forward Cyriel Dessers, who also impressed recently at the 2025 Unity Cup Tournament in London. 

The squad also welcomes back goalkeeper Adeleye Adebayo, defender Chidozie Awaziem, and forward Terem Moffi.

Currently fourth in Group C, Nigeria faces a must-win clash against Rwanda at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium on Saturday, September 6 (Matchday 7), before traveling to Bloemfontein for a potentially explosive showdown with South Africa on Tuesday, September 9 (Matchday 8).

The Super Eagles’ camp opens in Uyo on Monday, September 1, as Chelle’s side begins preparations for these make-or-break qualifiers with World Cup dreams hanging in the balance.

Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa); Amas Obasogie (Singida Blackstars, Tanzania); Adeleye Adebayo (Volos FC, Greece); Ebenezer Harcourt (Sporting FC)  

Defenders: William Ekong (Al-Kholood, Saudi Arabia); Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Olaoluwa Aina (Nottingham Forest, England); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Birmingham City, England); Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiakos, Greece); Igoh Ogbu (SK Slavia Prague, Czech Republic); Chidozie Awaziem (Nantes FC, France); Felix Agu (Werder Bremen, Germany); Benjamin Fredericks (Dender FC, Belgium)

Midfielders: Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England); Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England); Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi (New England Revolution, USA); Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas FC, Turkey); Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (SS Lazio, Italy); Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium); Christantus Uche (Getafe CF, Spain)

Forwards: Ademola Lookman (Atalanta BC, Italy); Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy); Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray FC, Turkey); Simon Moses (Paris FC, France); Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany); Cyriel Dessers (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland); Sadiq Umar (Real Sociedad, Spain); Nathan Tella (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany); Tolu Arokodare (KRC Genk, Belgium); Terem Moffi (OGC Nice, France); Adams Akor (Sevilla FC, Spain)