2026 World Cup Qualifiers: AC Milan Star Chukwueze Doubtful for Super Eagles

• Samuel Chukwueze is a major doubt for Nigeria’s June FIFA World Cup qualifiers
• The Nigerian winger sustained an injury while in action for AC Milan on Saturday
• Nigeria will face South Africa and Benin when the qualifiers resume next month

Nigeria’s preparation for the upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifiers against South Africa and the Benin Republic has been dealt a major blow after injuries to some key players.

The Super Eagles could be without AC Milan winger, Samuel Chukwuzeze, for the crucial encounters in June after the 24-year-old winger picked up an injury on Saturday, May 11.

According to Complete Sports, Chukwueze was replaced by Rafael Leao just after half-time after the Nigerian star sustained a muscle injury in the Rossoneri’s Serie A clash with Cagliari.

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The AC Milan winger, who missed Nigeria’s previous international friendly games in March against Ghana and Mali, will now face a race against time to be fit for the crucial games next month.

The Super Eagles will take on Bafana Bafana of South Africa at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on June 7 before heading out to Ivory Coast to take on Benin a few days later.

Chukwueze to undergo medical check

Meanwhile, Chukwueze will undergo medical checks to ascertain the severity of his injury after picking up a muscle injury during AC Milan’s Serie A clash against Cagliari, Sun Online reports.

The 24-year-old winger might have played his last game for the Rossoneri this season, depending on the seriousness of the injury, with just two games left for the Italian team this campaign.

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Nigeria’s 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign has been derailed by injuries as Chukwueze looks set to join the likes of Moses Simon, Zaidu Sanusi, and William Troost-Ekong on the sidelines.

Pioli slammed for treatment of Chukwueze

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that Chukwueze's dream move to AC Milan has not gone as planned, with the Super Eagles winger struggling to break into the first team.

Fabrizio Ponciroli, a respected Italian journalist, has argued the talented winger's case and lambasted AC Milan coach, Stefano Pioli, for his treatment of the Nigerian star.

Ponciroli claimed Chukwueze was good to start games for the Rossoneri but felt Pioli was hesitant to give the 24-year-old winger a chance to shine for the Italian giants.