Sports
W’Cup 2026 Play-Offs Fallout: Stakeholders seek reforms in Nigerian football system
For the second consecutive World Cup cycle, the Super Eagles will not be on football’s biggest stage at the 2026 FIFA World Cup after missing out the last time at Qatar 2022. As such, the current disappointment runs deep—not only among fans but also former internationals, coaches and administrators who have watched the national team steadily lose its identity. Yet, in the ruins of the latest failure lies an opportunity: to confront the deep structural weaknesses that have plagued Nigerian football for a decade and to begin a genuine, long-overdue rebuilding process writes TUNDE LIADI…
The final whistle in Rabat last Sunday after the dramatic 4-3 loss to Democratic Republic of Congo confirmed what many feared but few wished to admit: Nigeria will not be at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
For a footballing nation of over 200 million people, three-time African champions and six-time World Cup finalists, this is more than a sporting setback—it is a national wound
But how did we get here? And importantly, what must be done to prevent a third consecutive failure?
If there is a common thread in the reactions from former players and analysts, it is this: Nigeria’s football administration is adrift, reactive, and devoid of long-term planning.
Former Secretary of Gabros FC, Barrister Iyke Igbokwe, offered perhaps the bluntest assessment of the unfortunate current situation.
“It was a disaster waiting to happened,” the firebrand Igbokwe offered in a radio interview.“ The inconsistent performances of the Super Eagles starting with the mismanagement and inadequate planning by the Nigeria Football Federation(NFF) led by Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau.
“Anyone that claims he was expecting a World Cup qualification is lying,” he added.
Igbokwe highlighted a chaotic coaching cycle—three coaches in six qualifying matches—combined with player inconsistency and administrative disorganization. He insisted that the NFF “burgled the World Cup ticket” , citing unpaid allowances, poor preparation and a lack of continuity.
His argument mirrors the long-standing concerns of former Sports Minister Solomon Dalung, who attributed years of decline to “corruption and impunity.”
Dalung recalled an unforgettable encounter with a ministry cleaner who told him: “We work harder for failure than for success.” According to the cleaner, officials benefit when teams fail early in tournaments because unspent funds become unaccounted spoils.
Dalung claimed he attempted to implement reforms—including a proposal for a FIFA-led Normalization Committee but it collapsed due to political interference.
“Corruption would once again triumph,” he said, noting that systemic rot continues to define Nigeria’s football destiny.
The administrative confusion extends to coaching appointments dating back to the penchant of sacking coaches at the whims. The revolving Super Eagles coaching door had in the last four years saw the of Gernot Rohr, Austin Eguavoen (twice) Jose Peseiro and Finidi George.
There are a school of thought that claimed that even with a Pep Guardiola or Jose Mourinho, the Super Eagles might not even fly “because there is no system to work with.”
Predictably, the debate over who should have led the Super Eagles during the chaotic World Cup campaign rages on.
Former Nigeria International and erstwhile Super Eagles assistant coach Sylvanus Okpala stands firm: “Removing Eguavoen was the mistake. We would have qualified with him.”
But former World Cup star Ifeanyi Udeze sharply disagrees: “Eguavoen was there in 2022 and we still didn’t qualify. What was the guarantee? Chelle did his best. The problem is bigger than the coach.”
Their disagreement captures the broader issue: Nigeria keeps debating individuals instead of interrogating the system that keeps failing every coach.
Yet many former Nigeria internationals have criticized the lack of depth and identity in the current national team set up.
In fact, Duke Udi is concerned about Nigeria’s over-reliance on Victor Osimhen: “As soon as Osimhen left the game(against Democratic Republic on Sunday) there was nothing upfront. I thought we had a good bench, but they did nothing.”
Udi, the former Shooting Stars head coach stresses that even an AFCON victory would not compensate for the World Cup miss: “Every player dreams of the World Cup. AFCON is not new to Nigeria.”
For Loveday Omoruyi, the problem is both technical and cultural: “Some players don’t know what it means to wear the Nigeria jersey. We relied on one player. It’s time to look inward. Bring in Flying Eagles players. Start again.”
Garba Lawal, another respected former midfielder, is adamant that the national team need gradual transition after failing to pick one of the continental tickets to the FIFA World Cup 2026.
“We need fresh legs. Some players are aging. This is the time to rebuild. The objective shouldn’t be to win immediately—build team chemistry,” the Atlanta 1996 soccer gold medallist said.
Even goalkeeping legend Etta Egbe insisted the Super Eagles have strayed from their identity:
“Our philosophy was wing play. It gave us results. We abandoned it. These same players won’t take us anywhere. Bring younger players to enjoy themselves.”
And from the media perspective, Dr. Larry Izamoje, the Chairman of the Brila Media Group, canvassed for a controlled rebuild:
“Eject one or two players, reorganize the set-up. Get players from reserve teams abroad who can commit to Nigeria,” he said, adding the core of the current team has peaked; the next generation must be ushered in deliberately.
But truth be told, the decay in Nigerian football system goes far deeper than the senior national team.
Since 2014, when Amaju Pinnick assumed office, Nigeria’s age-grade success has collapsed. Once the world’s most formidable youth football nation, Nigeria has now qualified for the U-17 World Cup only once since 2015.
The NPFL, the primary talent pipeline, is plagued by corruption, poor officiating, and lack of structure. Without a strong domestic league, the Super Eagles become overly dependent on foreign-based players—with many discovering their “Nigerian roots” only after failing to break into European national teams.
Drawing from the voices of stakeholders and global best practices, here are the reforms Nigeria must implement: Establishment of a consistent football philosophy by borrowing leaves from countries like Spain, Germany, Japan and even Morocco.
Secondly, there should be reformation of the NFF and make the leadership accountable and key factors to look at include: transparent budgeting; Merit-based hiring; Zero tolerance for interference; External audits of tournament spending as well as clear KPIs beyond short-term qualifications because as one concerned senior citizen said: Nigerian football cannot flourish under perpetual crisis management.”
Thirdly, they must be the clear cut parts to strengthen the youth development and this will include reactivating and funding the national U-13, U-15, U-17 programmes
Along this line, there must be concerted efforts to professionalize the NPF because a strong national league means a stronger national team. As such, the priorities must include: improving officiating standards; installing VAR systems; ensuring club licensing compliance; creating commercial value for clubs and punishing corruption swiftly
Bar Clemens Westerhof who had a long and successful reign with the Super Eagles as well as Gernot Rohr, the continuous hiring and firing of coaches has not helped the fortunes of the Super Eagles for instance.
Recent results have shown that no coach can rebuild amid constant threats of sack.
There are others that maintain that there must be the total overall of the squad with focus on bring in talented youth players into the fold.
To others, there must be improvement in the welfare of the players in order to restore national pride. Late payment of bonuses, chaotic travel logistics and strikes before crucial matches are unacceptable. So that players can feel they are representing a serious nation.
Yet The National Sports Commission (NSC) must resume its oversight functions
As such they must ensure: Policy formulation; grassroots programming; accountability for NFF funds; monitoring national teams’ performance metrics; Nigeria cannot progress with weak institutional supervision.
Though Super Eagles’ failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup is painful but it is also a once-in-a-generation opportunity.
Rebuilding must start now—not for the next AFCON not for short-term political appeasement but for a sustainable resurgence.
The dream of returning to the 2030 World Cup begins today—and it begins with rebuilding Nigerian football from the ground up.
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