Head coach of the Nigeria national football team, Éric Chelle, has opened the door for players in the Nigeria Premier Football League and uncapped Nigerian footballers abroad to feature for the Super Eagles at the 2026 Unity Cup.
The invitational tournament will take place at The Valley, home of Charlton Athletic F.C., from May 26 to 30 in London.
Nigeria will defend the title they won last year against India national football team, Jamaica national football team, and Zimbabwe national football team.
Chelle said the tournament, which falls outside the FIFA international window, will allow him to assess new talents and integrate emerging players into the national team setup.
“The Unity Cup provides a platform to assess new players. I will comb Europe and invite new players of Nigerian descent, alongside those who were previously called up but never got the chance to feature,” Chelle said.
“Top players from the Nigeria Premier Football League will also be considered, as I will be watching a number of domestic league games from now until the end of the season.”
The coach added that the experimental approach would be limited to the Unity Cup, while regular first-team players will return for Nigeria’s international friendlies in June against Poland national football team and Portugal national football team.
“For the big warm-up games in June against Poland and Portugal, I will feature my first-team players. These are games that can push us up the global ranking if we win them,” the Franco-Malian tactician said.
Now in its fourth edition, the Unity Cup brings together countries with strong diaspora communities in the United Kingdom.
Nigeria and Jamaica are expected to be among the favourites based on their rankings and pedigree, while India and Zimbabwe complete the four-nation lineup.
India’s participation is particularly notable as it marks their first appearance in the tournament and their first visit to England in more than two decades.
The competition will follow a knockout format, with semi-final winners advancing to the final and the losing teams contesting the third-place match.
Nigeria will face Zimbabwe in the opening semi-final, a rematch following their recent encounters during the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification (CAF) campaign.
The second semi-final will see Jamaica take on India, with the winners progressing to the final scheduled for May 30.
Nigeria will aim to retain their title, while Jamaica seek redemption after last year’s defeat, as India and Zimbabwe look to make their mark on the London stage.
