World football governing body FIFA has confirmed that South Africa’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Nigeria will take place at the Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein on Tuesday, September 9, 2025.
The update, relayed through the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) by FIFA’s Head of Qualifiers and International Matches, Gordon Savic, states that the Group C encounter will kick off at 5 p.m. Nigerian time.
The 46,000-capacity Toyota Stadium — formerly known as Vodacom Park and later Free State Stadium — is among South Africa’s most iconic sports venues. Opened in 1995, it featured prominently during the 2010 FIFA World Cup as one of the tournament’s match venues.
The match will be a critical Group C clash that could help determine who secures Africa’s sole automatic slot for the 2026 World Cup to be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. It will come just three days after Nigeria host Rwanda in Uyo on September 6.
South Africa currently lead the group with 13 points from six matches, while Nigeria sit in fourth place with seven points following an underwhelming campaign that has produced just one win, four draws, and one loss.
Other teams in the group include Benin, Rwanda, Zimbabwe, and Lesotho. Only the group winners are guaranteed automatic qualification for the World Cup, while the runners-up may earn a second chance through the CAF playoffs and potentially the inter-confederation playoffs.
Despite their shaky start, the Super Eagles remain in contention mathematically, with four qualifiers left to play. Following the double-header in September, Nigeria will travel to face Lesotho before wrapping up their qualifying campaign with a home tie against Benin in October.
The reverse fixture between Nigeria and South Africa in June ended 1–1 in Uyo, with Themba Zwane giving Bafana Bafana the lead before Fisayo Dele-Bashiru equalised for the Super Eagles early in the second half.
To keep their qualification hopes alive, Nigeria will need to secure maximum points in Bloemfontein and begin to close the six-point gap on group leaders South Africa, who are looking to return to the global stage for the first time since hosting the 2010 edition.
Nigeria, three-time African champions, are aiming to qualify for their seventh World Cup, having missed out on the 2022 tournament in Qatar.