Cynthia Ezegwu
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has issued an open apology to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Federal Government, and millions of Nigerian football fans following the Super Eagles’ failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
In a statement posted on Monday via its official X handle, the NFF described Sunday’s loss to DR Congo in the Africa Play-off Final in Rabat as a moment of profound sadness, noting that missing the World Cup for a second consecutive time is a “disappointment of great weight and emotional depth” for the nation.
“The NFF, the technical crew, and the players understand the gravity of this moment. We understand the expectations Nigerians rightly hold and recognise that our collective effort did not deliver the outcome this nation deserved,” the statement read.
The federation acknowledged the immense support received from the Federal Government, the National Sports Commission, the National Assembly, key Ministries, diplomatic missions, the media, and passionate fans throughout the qualification campaign. It described football as a “national language” and a “powerful symbol of unity that binds over 200 million people as one family.”
Looking ahead, the NFF said its immediate focus is on the Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025, which it described as an opportunity for “healing, renewal, and the demonstration of the resilience that has always defined Nigerian football.”
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The statement also announced that the NFF Board and Management would carry out a comprehensive review of technical, administrative, and structural gaps that contributed to the failure, aiming to reposition the national teams for future success.
“The NFF solemnly commits to the people of Nigeria: we will rebuild trust, restore pride, and reclaim our standing on the global stage. This setback will not be the final word on Nigerian football,” it added.
The NFF reaffirmed the nation’s resilience, urging Nigerians to remain hopeful as the Super Eagles work toward regaining their position in international football.