Super Eagles star, Samuel Chukwueze, may not be available for Nigeria’s campaign at the 2026 World Cup African playoff owing to an injury he picked up recently while playing for Fulham.

Fulham Manager, Marco Silva, yesterday said that ChukwuezeChukwueze is among seven players expected to miss this weekend’s English Premier League game against Newcastle, with winger Harry Wilson another doubt for the trip.

He said that it is difficult yet to put a timeframe on the return of the former AC Milan midfielder, saying that it would be determined by Fulham’s doctors later.

Nigeria will face Gabon in the first semifinal of the African playoff in Morocco on November 13 and meet the winner of the second semifinal between Congo DR and Cameroon on November 16.

The winner of the playoff will join five other countries in an inter-continental playoff to decide the final two teams to qualify for the 2026 World Cup scheduled to be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Chukwueze was one of the outstanding stars of Nigeria’s 4-0 defeat of Benin Republic in their last Group C game during the regular 2026 World Cup qualifying series.

Silva lamented that injury has caused Fulham seven of their players ahead of the game against Newcastle, describing it as the worst injury run in his stay at the club.

Apart from Chukwueze, Silva said he would be without Rodrigo Muniz (hamstring) and Antonee Robinson (knee), saying it was difficult to put a timeframe on Muniz and Chukwueze’s returns.

Defender Joachim Andersen came off in the first half against Arsenal with a hamstring problem. Silva confirmed he would not travel to Newcastle, but played down the injury’s severity. (The Guardian)