Super Falcons Miss FIFA Women's World Cup for First Time

Nigeria's senior women's football team, the Super Falcons, will not participate in the FIFA Women's World Cup in Brazil next year, marking the first absence since the tournament's inception in 1991. This follows a 2-1 defeat to South Africa's Banyana Banyana during the WAFCON 2026 playoff held in Casablanca, Morocco.

The Falcons, who are 10-time African champions, were expected to secure one of two slots for Africa in the Inter-confederation playoffs scheduled for November. However, their loss means South Africa and Ghana will represent Africa instead.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), led by Ibrahim Musa Gusau, faces criticism for failing to ensure adequate preparation for the team, as its leadership focused on political activities related to the upcoming Elective Congress in Lafia, Nasarawa State. This situation is compounded by the failures of Nigeria's other national teams, including the under-23 and under-17 squads, to qualify for recent international competitions.