Super Eagles head coach Éric Chelle has opened the door to players in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) and uncapped foreign-based Nigerians as part of preparations for the 2026 Unity Cup in London.
Nigeria will defend the title they won last year when the invitational tournament takes place at The Valley, home of Charlton Athletic, from May 26 to 30, featuring Jamaica, Zimbabwe and India.
Chelle said the competition, which is held outside FIFA international windows, will provide an opportunity to assess new players and expand the national team pool.
He explained that NPFL players will be closely monitored in the coming months, alongside eligible Nigerians abroad who have yet to earn a senior cap.
“The Unity Cup provides a platform to assess new players. I will comb Europe and invite new players of Nigerian descent, alongside those previously called up but never got the chance to feature. Top players from the NPFL will also be considered,” Chelle said.
He added that the tournament would be used to test emerging talents, while established players are expected to return for higher-profile international friendlies against Portugal and Poland in June.
Chelle noted that those matches would be important for Nigeria’s global ranking and would feature the team’s regular first-team squad.
The Unity Cup will again feature Nigeria, Jamaica, Zimbabwe and India, with Nigeria facing Zimbabwe in one semi-final, while Jamaica take on India in the other.
The winners will meet in the final on May 30, with the competition expected to showcase both sporting talent and diaspora culture in the United Kingdom.
Nigeria will aim to retain the title they won in the previous edition, while the other participating nations look to make a strong impact on the international stage.
