Former Super Eagles defender and coach Kadiri Ikhana on Friday criticized Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, calling the situation “painful” and “embarrassing.”
Ikhana made the remarks in a statement published by Pulse Sports Nigeria as the tournament began in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
“I feel ashamed watching the World Cup. It is painful seeing countries that are not at the level of the Super Eagles participating while we are at home watching on television,” Ikhana said. He added that with ten African countries qualifying and Nigeria absent, “something went wrong” and blamed a lack of seriousness “when it mattered most.”
Nigeria lost to the Democratic Republic of Congo in the CAF playoff final on penalties, ending its qualification bid. The Super Eagles are ranked 26th by FIFA and will miss a second consecutive World Cup after also failing to reach Qatar 2022.
The 2026 World Cup opened this week with an expanded 48-team field, including matches such as Switzerland vs Qatar and Morocco vs Brazil.
Nigeria’s football federation had filed an appeal over DR Congo’s use of players, but FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee rejected the petition in March. The NFF said it was considering further appeal options, but no reversal occurred before the tournament start.