The FIFA World Cup Trophy is displayed during the Los Angeles stop of The FIFA World Cup 26 Trophy Tour by Coca-Cola at LA Live in Los Angeles on March 24, 2026. (Photo by Frederic J. Brown / AFP)
Despite failing to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Nigeria’s footballing influence will still be highly visible at the tournament kicking off on June 11 in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
The Super Eagles missed out after a painful playoff defeat to DR Congo on penalties, marking back-to-back absences from football’s biggest stage following their failure to qualify for Qatar 2022.
Yet, as the expanded 48-team tournament gets underway, approximately 15 to 16 players with Nigerian roots, by birth, parentage, or ancestry, are expected to feature across multiple national teams.
This diaspora presence highlights the depth of Nigerian football talent that continues to thrive across the global game.
