Dutch football coach, Simon Kalika, has said that the absence of the Super Eagles from the 2026 FIFA World Cup would significantly diminish the tournament, likening it to hosting the competition without football giants Brazil or Spain.
Kalika said the football world always looks forward to seeing Nigerian Players at the World Cup because of their flair, energy and natural talent.
It would be boring. Nigeria has young, talented players the football world always looks forward to seeing at the World Cup, he said.
The Dutch coach, who served as an assistant to Samson Siasia when Nigeria’s Flying Eagles won silver at the 2005 FIFA U-20 World Cup in the Netherlands, noted that Nigerian players consistently bring excitement to the global stage.
“These players play in top European clubs and are always a joy to watch together on the biggest football stage, the World Cup,” he added.
According to Kalika, Nigeria’s absence goes beyond football pride and also affects the quality and commercial appeal of the tournament.
Not being at the World Cup is like covering their talents with a stone so the world cannot see them. That affects the tournament, he said.
Nigeria is like Brazil and Spain. Not seeing them at the World Cup affects the competition commercially and makes the game look boring.
He stressed that the World Cup feels incomplete without Nigerian stars, insisting that the country deserves a regular presence at the tournament.
The World Cup is the biggest football stage, and Nigeria has the players and should always be there, Kalika said.
The Super Eagles have featured at the FIFA World Cup six times, in 1994, 1998, 2002, 2010, 2014 and 2018, but failed to qualify directly for the 2026 edition, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
However, the Nigeria Football Federation is still exploring a possible qualification route after petitioning FIFA against DR Congo over the alleged fielding of ineligible players during a playoff match in Morocco, which Nigeria lost on penalties.
FIFA is yet to issue a ruling, as investigations into the matter are ongoing.
