Nigeria Faces Reset After World Cup Qualification Failure

Nigeria has been left facing a hard reset after failing to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, following a dramatic 4–3 penalty shootout loss to DR Congo. The defeat means the Super Eagles will miss a second consecutive World Cup, prompting the Nigeria Football Federation to issue a public apology and promise a full review of technical and administrative shortcomings. The qualifying campaign exposed recurring issues, including coaching instability, lack of tactical identity, defensive lapses, and financial implications that could exceed US$100 million in lost revenue. Veteran forward Moses Simon urged players to take responsibility, echoing the frustration of fans and football analysts who have called for deeper structural reforms. As Nigeria turns its focus to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, the fallout from this failure signals the need for a complete overhaul to restore faith in the national team and prevent repeated disappointments.