Nigeria is listed as one of the eight out of the ten most populous countries that will not participate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The article explores the reasons behind the absence of these nations, which are known for their passion for football.

In the history of the FIFA World Cup, only eight countries have won the trophy, with Brazil, Germany, and Italy collectively securing 13 of the 22 titles, which represents about 60% of all victories. However, according to Daily Trust, the dominance of these traditional football powerhouses is diminishing, as none of them has won the tournament in recent years.

Nigeria and Cape Verde are noted as the only African nations to have scored multiple goals against Argentina in a World Cup match, highlighting their unique historical connection in the tournament's context. This shared achievement underscores their performances on the world stage.

As the Round of 16 begins in the World Cup, Lionel Messi has increased his goal tally to seven after scoring in Argentina's 3-2 victory over Cape Verde in the Round of 32, according to Vanguard Sports. The leading scorers of the tournament have been revealed as the competition progresses.

South Africa achieved a historic milestone by reaching the knockout stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup for the first time, following a 1-0 victory against South Korea. Additionally, Brazil, Mexico, and Switzerland topped their respective groups in the tournament, according to Naija News.

Kylian Mbappé, the captain of the French national team, has set a new record as the highest goalscorer in FIFA World Cup knockout history, reaching a total of 10 goals. This achievement highlights his significant impact in the tournament's knockout stages, joining a select group of players who have scored five or more goals in this phase of the competition.