Former Nigerian national team captain Sunday Oliseh has expressed his disappointment with the country’s approach to qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Following Nigeria’s failure to secure a spot in the tournament after losing to the Democratic Republic of Congo in the playoff final, the Nigeria Football Federation filed a petition with FIFA, alleging that the DR Congo fielded ineligible players.
Oliseh believes that instead of relying on protests and petitions, Nigeria should take responsibility for its failure to qualify on the pitch. He made these comments during his weekly football analysis program, Sunday Oliseh’s Global Football Insights, which aired after the conclusion of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. Senegal emerged as the champion, defeating the host nation in the final.
The former Super Eagles captain emphasized that Nigeria’s focus should be on improving its performance on the field rather than seeking to overturn the result through administrative channels. “We failed to qualify for the 2026 World Cup on the pitch, where it actually matters,” Oliseh stated. “Instead of looking in the mirror and taking responsibility, we see these desperate protests to FIFA against DR Congo.”
Oliseh pointed out that the DR Congo team had used the same players in question during earlier matches, including against Cameroon, without any issues being raised. He argued that Nigeria’s approach is misguided, saying, “We are trying to qualify through an office, instead of through goals, tactics, and hard work.”
The Nigeria Football Federation’s petition to FIFA is currently pending, but Oliseh’s comments highlight the need for the country’s football authorities to reflect on their team’s performance and strategy rather than seeking external solutions. With the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying process ongoing, Nigeria’s focus should be on regrouping and preparing for future tournaments, rather than disputing past results.
