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.

A report from Vanguard Sports warns that failing to vote out the current Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) leadership could result in Nigeria missing another World Cup. This concern arises as the FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by the USA, Mexico, and Canada, continues to attract global attention with its expanded format featuring 48 national teams.

Eric Chelle's contract extension with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has not yet been signed, raising concerns that Nigeria could lose its Super Eagles coach. This uncertainty is compounded by reported interest from Algeria in Chelle's services, which could lead to his departure after the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The Nigeria Football Federation's current board remains in place despite failing to qualify for the ongoing World Cup, a situation that has led to resignations in other countries such as Italy, where the head of the football federation stepped down after the men's team missed qualification for the third consecutive time. This contrasts with actions taken in nations like Saudi Arabia, Uruguay, South Korea, and Scotland, where leadership changes occurred following similar failures.

FCT Minister Nyesom Wike has criticized the Super Eagles after Nigeria failed to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, leading to widespread anger and debate throughout the nation.

Nigeria's efforts to regain its Frontier Market status have encountered a new challenge as FTSE Russell, a global index provider, has postponed the process. This delay represents an unexpected setback for the country in its pursuit of re-entering the global financial index, according to Tribune Online.