The world will flip to Washington, D.C., as we speak (Friday) as FIFA conducts the Last Draw for the 2026 World Cup.
Sadly, Nigeria, one of many sport’s conventional heavyweights, is lacking from the thrill.
For the second consecutive time, the Super Eagles will watch the largest showpiece from afar, diminished to spectators whereas nations with far fewer sources take their place on the worldwide stage.
A draw with out the Tremendous Eagles
At this time’s ceremony on the John F. Kennedy Centre brings collectively international stars, coaches and officers as 42 already-qualified groups and people nonetheless in competition uncover their group-stage opponents.
In a event expanded to 48 groups — the most important in historical past — Nigeria’s absence stands out sharply.
Africa now enjoys 9 automated qualification slots and a possible tenth by means of playoffs.
But regardless of a inhabitants of over 220 million and a deep pool of elite soccer expertise, Nigeria stumbled as soon as once more.
Their qualifying marketing campaign resulted in Rabat after a dramatic 4–3 penalty loss to DR Congo.
That consequence opened the door for others to make historical past. Haiti certified for the primary time since 1974, whereas Curaçao — a nation of fewer than 200,000 folks — earned a World Cup berth for the primary time ever.
‘Sufficient Is Sufficient,’ Says Mikel Obi
The failure reignited frustration at residence, prompting intense criticism from many, together with former Tremendous Eagles captain John Mikel Obi.
Talking on The Obi One Podcast, he condemned what he described as years of mismanagement by the Nigeria Soccer Federation (NFF).
“For the previous eight years, this NFF have disadvantaged the widespread Nigerian the possibility to observe our staff… on the largest stage,” he mentioned.
“It’s nonetheless gonna be the identical consequence, which is failure, as a result of they don’t know easy methods to do it… What they’re desirous about is what is available in and is put of their pockets.”
Mikel, emphasising soccer’s unifying energy, urged pressing reform:
“Soccer is the one factor that holds folks collectively… Sufficient is sufficient, cease and take a break; simply do the precise factor.”
Izamoje: ‘Now we have misplaced the model, the planning, the thrill’
Veteran broadcaster and Brila Group Chairman Larry Izamoje echoed the issues, arguing that Nigeria’s soccer failure is rooted not simply in ways, however in a collapsed system.
“Now we have not constructed a model. Let’s see how we will make the Tremendous Eagles a model folks will affiliate with… Even the followers themselves aren’t excited,” he mentioned on the Huge Sports activities Dialogue in Lagos.
He lamented the dearth of continuity, trendy instruments and technical preparation:
“A small membership like Southampton has extra evaluation instruments. What do we have now written within the dressing room of the Eagles earlier than matches?”
Based on him, the emotional connection between the staff and its supporters has weakened:
“As small as Uyo is, we nonetheless don’t fill the stadium. One thing is amiss.”
He known as for strategic rebuilding rooted in planning and professionalism:
“We’d like consultants in technique, image-building and planning. We should begin spending cash the precise approach.”
Hold hope alive-D.G
Nationwide Sports activities Fee Director Common, Bukola Olopade, urged temperance and unity, insisting that the failure mustn’t descend right into a blame sport.
“This isn’t the time to begin speaking about who did what… We have to return, sit down and recalibrate,” he mentioned.
“These are heroes… Presently, we can’t flip our backs on them.”
NFF guarantees yet one more reform drive
The NFF, in a well-recognized tone, supplied apologies and a brand new pledge to repair longstanding issues.
“We are going to consider the technical, administrative, and structural gaps… We are going to rebuild belief. We are going to restore pleasure,” the federation acknowledged.
However many Nigerians stay sceptical, having heard related assurances after previous setbacks.
Why Haiti and Curaçao Succeeded
Analysts spotlight contrasting approaches:
Haiti and Curaçao benefited from regular teaching, clear soccer route, sustained diaspora engagement and secure youth pathways.
Nigeria’s personal journey was marked by teaching adjustments, inner disputes — together with a bonus row in Rabat — and an absence of continuity or coherent planning.
Trendy soccer rewards organisation, not status.
Draw process
Based on the Last Draw procedures, hosts Canada, Mexico and the USA can be positioned in Pot 1, alongside the highest-ranked certified groups. The 39 remaining groups can be allotted throughout 4 pots of 12 groups every based mostly on the FIFA/Coca-Cola Males’s World Rating of 19 November 2025. As well as, the 2 FIFA World Cup 2026 Play-off Match placeholders and the 4 European play-off placeholders will all be positioned in Pot 4.
Pot 1:Canada, Mexico, USA, Spain, Argentina, France, England, Brazil, Portugal, Netherlands, Belgium, Germany
Pot 2: Croatia, Morocco, Colombia, Uruguay, Switzerland, Japan, Senegal, IR Iran, Korea Republic, Ecuador, Austria, Australia
Pot 3: Norway, Panama, Egypt, Algeria, Scotland, Paraguay, Tunisia, Côte d’Ivoire, Uzbekistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Africa
Pot 4: Jordan, Cabo Verde, Ghana, Curaçao, Haiti, New Zealand, European Play-Off A, European Play-Off B, European Play-Off C, European Play-Off D, FIFA Play-Off Match 1, FIFA Play-Off Match 2
For the draw itself, all Pot 1 groups can be assigned first, positioned sequentially into Teams A to L. The method will then proceed with Pot 2, adopted by Pot 3, and eventually Pot 4, finishing the allocation for all 48 groups.
Eyes now on AFCON 2025
With the World Cup dream over, consideration shifts to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, the place Nigeria sits in Group C alongside Tunisia, Uganda and Tanzania.
President Bola Tinubu has urged a reset:
“Now’s the time to focus all efforts on the Cup of Nations. Our Tremendous Eagles should get well the misplaced glory.”
READ ALSO: “We should appropriate our errors” — Tremendous Eagles defender Awaziem units 2025 AFCON title goal
A worldwide stage with out Nigeria
As stars collect in Washington for a glitzy draw hosted by Heidi Klum, Kevin Hart, Andrea Bocelli, Robbie Williams and others, Nigeria stays on the sidelines.
Curaçao and Haiti will step proudly into the highlight. Nigeria, in the meantime, watches and displays.
The message is obvious: nations that plan progress. Nations that depend on status fall behind.
The following 4 years will decide whether or not the Tremendous Eagles return to world soccer’s centre stage — or drift additional into the shadows.
