NFF apologises to president Tinubu and Nigerians after World Cup playoff setback
The Nigerian Football Federation has officially apologized to president Ahmed Bola Tinubu and Nigerians at large following 2026 World Cup playoff setback.
The West African football heavyweights is out of the race for the global showpiece after succumbing to a defeat to DR Congo in the African World Cup playoff final, held in Morocco on Sunday.
The Leopards are now set to represent Africa in the intercontinental playoff, scheduled for March 2026 after triumphing over Nigeria on penalties.
Following the setback, the domestic football governing body (NFF) has issued an apology to president Bola Tinubu and the millions of Nigerians.
“The Nigeria Football Federation wishes to openly and sincerely apologise to His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR), to the Federal Government as a whole; and to millions of Nigerians, most especially our passionate, loyal football fans, following the pride, missing out on the World Cup for a second consecutive time is a disappointment of great weight and emotional depth”
“The NFF, the technical crew, and the players understand the gravity of this moment. We understand the expectations Nigerians rightly hold”
“We understand the passion and sacrifice of a country that has always stood firmly behind its team, through triumphs and trials. And we recognise that our collective effort did not deliver the outcome this nation deserved” a statement from the NFF reads.
The recent setback marks the Super Eagles second consecutive World Cup qualifiaction failure, having missed out in the previous edition, held in Qatar in 2022.
Having missing out on World Cup qualification, the Super Eagles will shift their attention to the impending African Cup of Nations tournament, scheduled for Morocco between December 2025 and January 2026.
The Super Eagles are paired in Group C against Tanzania, Tunisia and Uganda at the continental showpiece. They will open their AFCON account against Tanzania on December 23, 2025.
