By Yunus Kaymaz

ISTANBUL

Nigeria will struggle to be in the top-two spots of the 2018 FIFA World Cup Group D, where the West African country will face Argentina, Iceland and Croatia.

Nigeria led the group in the African qualifiers with 13 points. Completing the qualifiers as leaders, Nigeria booked its place for Russia 2018.

Nigerian stars such as CSKA Moscow forward Ahmed Musa, Leicester City's Kelechi Iheanacho, Chelsea forward Victor Moses and Arsenal wing forward Alex Iwobi are expected to shine with major contributions for their country in Russia.

Before the 2018 World Cup, Nigeria qualified for the top football event five times.

The Nigerian team debuted in the U.S. in 1994. Its best achievement was to reach the last 16 for three times in 1994, 1998 and 2014.

In 2002 and 2010, Nigeria was eliminated in the group stage.

Nigeria's World Cup squad:

Goalkeepers: Francis Uzoho (Deportivo La Coruna), Ikechukwu Ezenwa (Enyimba), Daniel Akpeyi (Chippa United)

Defenders: William Troost-Ekong, Abdullahi Shehu (Bursaspor), Tyronne Ebuehi (Ado Den Haag), Elderson Echiejile (Cercle Brugge KSV), Bryan Idowu (Amkar Perm), Chidozie Awaziem (Nantes FC), Leon Balogun (Brighton), Kenneth Omeruo (Kasimpasa)

Midfielders: Mikel John Obi (Tianjin Teda), Ogenyi Onazi (Trabzonspor), Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City), Oghenekaro Etebo (Las Palmas), John Ogu (Hapoel Be’er Sheva), Joel Obi (Torino)

Forwards: Ahmed Musa (CSKA Moscow), Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City), Victor Moses (Chelsea), Odion Ighalo (Changchun Yatai), Alex Iwobi (Arsenal), Simeon Nwankwo (Crotone)

Manager: Gernot Rohr