Nigeria's World Cup prospects depend on stability as former players demand reform

Former Super Eagles head coach Sunday Oliseh warned that Nigeria is three months behind in preparations for the 2030 World Cup, saying the situation is "scary" and that the team could repeat Italy's recent failures to qualify. He highlighted Cape Verde's recent World Cup experience as a warning sign for Nigeria's transitional squad.

FIFA echoed the need for stability, stating that Nigeria's rich talent pool will not translate into qualification without a robust administrative and technical structure. The governing body noted the Super Eagles' past successes in 1994, 1998 and 2014 but stressed that "making it to the 2030 showpiece will therefore hinge less on ability than on stability."

Former goalkeeper Carl Ikeme, who retired due to leukemia, called Nigeria's back‑to‑back misses for the 2022 and 2026 tournaments "unacceptable," urging that the right environment be created for players to thrive. He said, "Missing the World Cup is something that should never happen to Nigeria. We have too much quality for that."

Collectively, these voices stress administrative reforms and stability as essential for the Super Eagles to return to the World Cup stage.