CAF President: World Cup Incomplete Without Nigeria, Cameroon

Patrice Motsepe, President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), expressed that the 2026 FIFA World Cup is incomplete without Nigeria and Cameroon during a global press conference in Johannesburg, South Africa. Nigeria's Super Eagles did not qualify for the World Cup, marking their second consecutive absence after missing the 2022 edition in Qatar.

The Super Eagles finished second in Group C of the CAF qualifiers and lost to the Democratic Republic of Congo in the final playoff round on penalties after a 1-1 draw. The Nigeria Football Federation's appeal regarding the Democratic Republic of Congo's eligibility was dismissed.

Following this, Nigeria dropped to fourth among African countries in the FIFA rankings. Motsepe emphasized Nigeria's talent production and the unifying power of the Super Eagles, stating that a World Cup without Nigeria and Cameroon leaves a gap that cannot be filled.

He also mentioned that Nigeria's return to the World Cup in 2030 would depend on building a stable structure for consistent results.