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The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has apologised to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and millions of Nigerians following the Super Eagles’ failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Nigeria’s World Cup hopes ended on Sunday in Rabat after a 4–3 penalty shootout defeat to DR Congo in the CAF Playoff Final.
The loss denied the Super Eagles a place in the Intercontinental Playoff, where two countries will secure the final tickets to the expanded World Cup.
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In a statement released on Monday and seen by BusinessDay, the NFF expressed “deep regret” and offered a “heartfelt apology” to President Tinubu and the nation, describing the elimination as a source of “great emotional pain.”
“The Nigeria Football Federation wishes to openly and sincerely apologise to His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR), to the Federal Government, and to millions of Nigerians, especially our passionate football fans, following the Super Eagles’ failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup finals,” the statement reads.
The federation acknowledged the disappointment of missing the World Cup for the second consecutive edition, noting that Sunday’s defeat was “a moment of profound sadness for Nigerian football.”
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The NFF said the players and technical crew were devastated in the dressing room after the match, emphasising that they fully understood the expectations of Nigerians and the symbolic role of the Super Eagles.
“We understand the gravity of this moment. We understand the passion and sacrifice of a country that has always stood firmly behind its team. Our collective effort did not deliver the outcome this nation deserved.”
The NFF also thanked President Tinubu for his consistent financial support throughout the qualification campaign, noting that the government, National Sports Commission, National Assembly, MDAs, diplomatic missions, tmedia, and fans all provided unwavering backing.
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“Football in Nigeria is more than a game. It is a national language, a bridge across cultures, and a powerful symbol of unity for over 200 million people.”
The NFF said it is shifting its focus to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations *AFCON) in Morocco, describing the tournament as an opportunity for “healing, renewal, and resilience.”
The federation added that it will immediately begin a rigorous review of the entire World Cup qualification process.
“In the coming days, the NFF Board and Management will enter into a thorough evaluation, honest, uncompromising, and strategic. We will identify the technical, administrative, and structural gaps that led to this outcome and take decisive steps to reposition our national teams for future success.”
