World football’s governing body, FIFA, has officially announced that South Africa’s 2026 World Cup qualifier against Nigeria will take place at Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein on Tuesday, September 9, 2025.
This confirmation was relayed by FIFA’s Head of Qualifiers and International Matches, Gordon Savic, via the NFF, noting that kickoff is set for 5 pm Nigerian time.
The 46,000-capacity Toyota Stadium, previously known as Vodacom Park and later Free State Stadium, holds historic significance as one of the venues used during the 2010 FIFA World Cup, having opened in 1995.
This crucial Group C matchday eight encounter is shaping up to be decisive in the battle for Africa’s sole automatic ticket to the 2026 World Cup finals scheduled to be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
It will come just three days after Nigeria’s home clash with Rwanda in Uyo on September 6.
Currently, South Africa sit at the top of the group with 13 points from six matches, while Nigeria trail in fourth place with seven points, following an underwhelming campaign marked by just one win, four draws, and one defeat.
The group also includes Benin, Rwanda, Zimbabwe, and Lesotho, with only the group winner earning automatic qualification, while the second-placed team may still advance via the CAF play-offs and potentially the inter-confederation play-offs.
Despite their shaky start, Nigeria are still mathematically in contention, with four matches left in the qualifying series.
After the September fixtures against Rwanda and South Africa, the Super Eagles will play Lesotho away before wrapping up the group phase with a home tie against Benin in October.
The first meeting between Nigeria and South Africa in June ended in a 1–1 draw in Uyo, with Themba Zwane giving Bafana Bafana the lead before Fisayo Dele-Bashiru equalised for Nigeria shortly after the restart.
To keep their qualification hopes alive, the Eagles must secure maximum points in Bloemfontein, aiming to narrow the six-point gap and boost their chances of reaching a seventh World Cup, having missed the 2022 edition in Qatar.