Benin Republic’s national team coach, Gernot Rohr, has emphasized the significance of their upcoming matches against Rwanda and Nigeria in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. According to Rohr, these two games are the most crucial in the country’s football history, as they will determine Benin’s chances of qualifying for the global tournament.

The Benin Republic team, also known as the Cheetahs, is set to face Rwanda on Friday, followed by a match against Nigeria on Tuesday. If they secure wins in both games, they will book their spot in the 2026 World Cup, scheduled to take place in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. This would be a historic achievement for the team, as they have never before participated in the World Cup.

Rohr, a Franco-German coach with experience managing the Nigerian national team, highlighted the importance of these matches in a press conference. “These matches against Rwanda and Nigeria are the two most important matches in the history of Benin, I think. The players are aware of that,” he stated. The team’s recent performance has been promising, with a notable 2-1 victory over Nigeria in June 2024, which was Nigeria’s only loss in the qualifiers so far.

Meanwhile, Nigeria is preparing to face Lesotho in South Africa on Friday, before hosting Benin at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on Tuesday. The outcome of these matches will have significant implications for both teams’ chances of advancing in the qualifiers. With the stakes high, the Benin Republic team is focused on securing the necessary wins to make their World Cup debut. The next few days will be crucial in determining the future of Benin’s national team in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.