Former Super Eagles coach Jo Bonfrere has called on Nigeria to move on quickly from the disappointment of missing out on the 2026 FIFA World Cup and begin serious preparations for future tournaments.
Speaking after confirmation that the Super Eagles will not feature at the global showpiece, Bonfrere stressed that the focus must now shift to long-term planning, particularly for the 2030 and 2034 editions.
“Super Eagles must put the 2026 World Cup disappointment behind them. Preparation for 2030 and 2034 must start now,” he said in an exclusive interview with Complete Sports.
The Dutch tactician, who famously led Nigeria’s U-23 team to Olympic gold in 1996, described the absence from the World Cup as a major setback for the country, its players, and African football as a whole.
“It is not good that Nigeria will not be at the World Cup in 2026. It is not good for the players, not good for Nigeria, and not good for Africa.”
He urged the Nigeria Football Federation to take lessons from recent failures and build a stronger foundation for the future, starting with upcoming continental competitions.
“The Federation (NFF) must learn from the mistakes that led to Nigeria missing the 2026 World Cup. They should correct them and plan properly for 2030, starting with the 2027 AFCON.
“There are many talented Nigerian players in top European clubs, and it will be unfortunate if they miss out on three consecutive World Cups.”
Jo Bonfrere also emphasized that Nigeria must reclaim its status as a leading force in African football, insisting that the country has the talent to compete at the highest level.
“Nigeria is a giant in Africa. They should lead in everything, especially football, because they have some of the best talents on the continent.
“It is not good that they missed the World Cup in 2022 and 2026, and now we are already talking about 2030. They must put their house in order.”
He highlighted Nigeria’s strong global appeal, noting that the team has always brought excitement and energy to major tournaments.
“The world wants to see Nigeria at the World Cup. Fans love the energy and glamour Nigerians bring to the tournament.
“FIFA always enjoys the atmosphere Nigerians create at the World Cup. The world is always looking forward to seeing them again.
“We saw it at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta. The world has not forgotten. In 1994, the world was excited about Nigeria. The same happened in 1998, 2002, 2010 in South Africa, and again in 2014.
“People rushed to buy tickets for Super Eagles matches. Now the world is asking: where is Nigeria?”
“Where are the top Nigerian players playing in the biggest clubs and leagues in the world?
“The NFF must act now to get things right. There is still enough time to prepare properly for the 2030 and even the 2034 World Cups,” Jo Bonfrere concluded.
