National Teams
“Nigeria Belongs With Brazil and Spain” — Dutch Coach Mourns Super Eagles’ World Cup Absence
Dutch coach Simon Kalika has expressed deep regret over Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, describing the Super Eagles as a global football brand whose absence diminishes the tournament itself.
Nigeria will miss the World Cup for a second consecutive edition, with the finals in the United States, Mexico, and Canada set to take place without one of Africa’s most recognisable and entertaining national teams.
For Kalika, the omission is not just a blow to Nigerian football, but a loss for the global spectacle.
“The World Cup is poorer without Nigeria,” Kalika said. “They are one of those teams people expect to see — like Brazil or Spain.”
The Super Eagles’ road to qualification ended in heartbreak. After failing to secure automatic passage from their qualifying group behind South Africa, Nigeria were forced into the African play-offs.
Victory over Gabon briefly revived their hopes, but defeat to DR Congo in a tense penalty shootout brought their campaign to a crushing halt, extending a painful run that also saw them miss the 2022 tournament in Qatar.
Kalika believes what makes the failure particularly difficult to accept is the sheer quality within the current Nigerian squad. The Dutch tactician argues that few African nations can boast such a blend of individual excellence and attacking flair.
“With players like Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman, who have both been named African Footballer of the Year in recent seasons, Nigeria have stars who should be performing on the biggest stage,” he said.
“Stanley Nwabali is among the best goalkeepers in Africa, while players like Calvin Bassey, Alex Iwobi, and Wilfred Ndidi have proven themselves at the highest level.”
According to Kalika, the absence of such talent deprives the World Cup of colour, excitement, and commercial appeal.
“When Nigeria is not at the World Cup, it’s like hiding great talent under a stone so the world cannot see it,” he explained. “They play exciting football. Their presence adds flavour to the competition. Without teams like Nigeria, the tournament loses something.”
Kalika’s comments carry weight given his long association with Nigerian football. He served as an assistant coach under Samson Siasia when Nigeria finished runners-up at the 2005 FIFA U-20 World Cup, and was also part of the technical crew that guided the U-23 team to silver at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.
While disappointment hangs heavily over the Super Eagles’ camp, the door to the 2026 World Cup has not been completely shut. The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has lodged a formal petition with FIFA, alleging that DR Congo fielded ineligible players during the African play-off in Morocco. FIFA is yet to conclude its investigation, leaving Nigeria’s fate unresolved.
Until a final verdict is delivered, the Super Eagles remain in limbo — and a World Cup that, in Kalika’s view, will lack a vital spark without them waits on.
