Nigeria’s Special Eagles are targeting a place in the knockout stages of the 2026 Amputee Football World Cup, with federation president Opukiri Jones Ere backing the team to compete against their Group B opponents in Mexico.
The tournament opens on Friday in San Juan de los Lagos, Jalisco, and runs until November 22. Nigeria have been drawn alongside defending champions Türkiye, Spain and Egypt.
Ere has expressed confidence that the Special Eagles can progress from the group, pointing to the experience of Nigerian players based in Türkiye and their familiarity with international opposition.
He said Nigeria’s previous encounter with Egypt had ended in a draw, giving the squad reason to approach the North African side with confidence.
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The federation president also rejected the idea that Spain’s European pedigree should intimidate Nigeria, insisting that the Special Eagles have the players to compete.
His immediate target is qualification from the opening round, with the knockout stages providing the next opportunity for the team to advance its ambitions.
The confidence follows an extended preparation programme. Ere had earlier said the squad spent two months together in camp, using the period to develop understanding and improve their readiness for the tournament.
Head coach Gbenga Dosunmu has also highlighted the presence of six Nigerian professionals playing in Türkiye, describing their experience as an important part of the squad’s preparations.
The Special Eagles are among seven African countries listed for the competition, alongside Algeria, Angola, Egypt, Ghana, Liberia and Morocco.
The World Amputee Football Federation’s tournament programme features 24 teams drawn into six groups of four, with the group stage scheduled to run from November 13 to 16.
Knockout and placement matches are scheduled for November 18 to 20, before the final and concluding classification matches on November 22.
Nigeria’s group includes the winners of the previous edition. Türkiye claimed the 2022 title on home soil in Istanbul after beating Angola in the final.
Angola had won the preceding World Cup in 2018, defeating Türkiye when San Juan de los Lagos last staged the tournament. Mexico’s return as host therefore brings the competition back to the city after eight years.
For Nigeria, the opening challenge is to turn the preparation and confidence described by their officials into results against three demanding opponents.
Ere’s group-stage target sets a clear starting point for the Special Eagles as they seek to extend their stay in Mexico beyond the first round.
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