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Nigeria face Gabon in the play-off semi-final of African qualifying for the 2026 World Cup.
The winners will advance to Sunday's final against Cameroon or DR Congo, with a place in March's intercontinental play-off on the line.
Nigeria disappointed in their World Cup qualifying group, losing out on top spot to South Africa by one point. Gabon won eight of their 10 matches, but Ivory Coast pipped them to top spot.
So, how did Gabon get to the play-offs?
Well, they finished runners-up in Group F of CAF qualifying.
They trailed group winners Ivory Coast by a point, who qualified automatically for next summer’s World Cup as a result.
And here is a look at the players available to Gabon:
Goalkeepers: François Bekale, Loyce Mbaba, Lukas Mounguenou.
Defenders: Aaron Appindangoye, Jonathan Do Marcolino, Jacques Ekomie, Bruno Ecuele Manga, Yannis M'Bemba, Alex Moucketou-Moussounda, Johann Obiang, Mick Onfia, Anthony Oyono, Jeremy Oyono.
Midfielders: Samake Nze Bagnama, Guelor Kanga, Noha Lemina, Mario Lemina, Didier Ndong, André Poko.
Forwards: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Teddy Averlant, Denis Bouanga, Alan Do Marcolino, Randy Essang-Matouti, Bryan Meyo, Royce Openda.
Here are the players available to Eric Chelle for this international break:
Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali, Amas Obasogie, Maduka Okoye.
Defenders: Semi Ajayi, Chidozie Awaziem, Calvin Bassey, Benjamin Fredrick, Bruno Onyemaechi, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Zaidu Sanusi, William Troost-Ekong.
Midfielders: Alex Iwobi, Wilfred Ndidi, Raphael Onyedika, Frank Onyeka, Alhassan Yusuf.
Forwards: Akor Adams, Tolu Arokodare, Samuel Chukwueze, Chidera Ejuke, Ademola Lookman, Olakunle Olusegun, Victor Osimhen, Moses Simon.
The equation for these two teams is pretty simple: don't lose any of their next three games.
It is the ultimate win-or-go-home situation for Nigeria and Gabon.
A win in today's game would take them into the final of this CAF mini-tournament on Sunday against either Cameroon or DR Congo. Victory in that match at the weekend would grant them a place in the intercontinental play-off in March where a place at the 2026 World Cup will be on the line.
Put simply, they need to win today, win on Sunday and then win in March. Nice and easy, then…
The winner of today’s match will take on the winner of the match Cameroon or DR Congo.
They play in the other semi-final later today, kicking off at 7pm GMT in the UK, 2pm ET and 11am PT in the U.S.
There is a sizeable slate of international fixtures today, including both World Cup qualifiers (WCQs) and international friendlies (IFs). Perhaps the most significant of the other games is the other CAF play-off semi-final between Cameroon and DR Congo.
Here are a few of the others:
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Moulay Hassan Stadium, Rabat, Morocco
Home of club FUS Rabat since 2012, the stadium has been recently renovated in preparation for Morocco hosting the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
The capacity is 22,000 and the stadium is part of a wider sports complex in the city of Rabat, the country's capital city.
For those of you looking to tune in to the action alongside our live coverage, here's how you can do it:
The match begins at 5pm local time in Rabat, Morocco, which is 4pm GMT in the UK.
Across the pond in the United States, that works out as 11am ET on the east coast and 8am PT on the west.
Hello everyone and welcome to The Athletic, where today we are covering Nigeria vs Gabon live in a crucial 2026 World Cup qualifier.
This is a huge match for both teams’ hopes of qualifying for next summer’s tournament, with this the semi-final of a mini-tournament for qualification from the CAF region covering African football.
The winner today will progress to contest Sunday's final — that final will then lead to an intercontinental play-off in March. So these two teams are still three wins away from the World Cup.
We've got you covered with plenty of build-up over the next few hours, so stick with us!