Why did Nigeria fail to qualify for the World Cup?

Nigeria's failure stems from a disappointing qualifying campaign, culminating in a playoff loss, marking their second consecutive absence from the tournament.

What did Donald Trump say about the World Cup?

US President Trump has threatened to move World Cup matches from American host cities over safety concerns.

Which major African teams will be absent from the World Cup?

Notable African absentees include Nigeria, whose squad features stars like Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman.

Home / Sports / Nigeria's World Cup Woes: A Generation's Worst

Nigeria's World Cup Woes: A Generation's Worst

18 Nov, 2025

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Summary

Nigeria failed to qualify for consecutive World Cups for the first time since 1990.
Key players like Osimhen and Lookman will miss the tournament.
US President Trump threatened to move World Cup matches from US cities.

Nigeria's World Cup Woes: A Generation's Worst

The Nigerian Super Eagles, once a formidable force in African football, are notably absent from next summer's World Cup. This marks their second consecutive failure to qualify, a streak not seen since 1990. The team's performance has been described as the worst in a generation, sidelining prominent players like Victor Osimhen and reigning African Player of the Year Ademola Lookman.

In parallel, global football governance faces political turbulence. US President Donald Trump continues to express concerns over World Cup hosting, even threatening to move matches from cities like Los Angeles and Seattle due to alleged safety issues. These statements come amid ongoing discussions between FIFA and US authorities regarding visa access for World Cup attendees.

Elsewhere, Germany secured their World Cup spot with a decisive 6-0 victory. The US Men's National Team is preparing for a warm-up match against Portugal, with anticipation building around Cristiano Ronaldo's potential appearance, despite concerns about lukewarm fan attendance at recent USMNT games.