Patrice Motsepe: World Cup Is Incomplete Without Nigeria, Cameroon

Confederation of African Football (CAF) President Patrice Motsepe has described the absence of Nigeria and Cameroon from the 2026 FIFA World Cup as a significant setback for African football, saying the tournament loses part of its identity without two of the continent’s football powerhouses.

The expanded 2026 FIFA World Cup, hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, concluded with Spain lifting the trophy. However, neither Nigeria nor Cameroon featured at the global showpiece after failing to qualify.

Reflecting on Africa’s performance at the tournament, Motsepe praised the contributions both nations have made to the growth and global reputation of African football, insisting their absence was deeply felt.

“I am happy for Nigeria and Cameroon. Nigeria did not make the World Cup, and I keep telling people that a World Cup for me without Nigeria, Cameroon, and many others is incomplete because Nigerians and Cameroonians have all made us proud,” Mot most successful football nations, both missed out on qualification despite their rich World becoming the first African country to reach the FIFA World Cup quarter-finals, while Nigeria has consistently impressed on the global stage, advancing to the Round of 16 on several occasions and producing some of Africa’s absence, Motsepe expressed optimism about the future of African football, stressing that CAF remains that the continental football governing body plans to increase investment in youth development, coaching education, infrastructure and competitions work harder than we have ever done before because in life, if you work hard and you are determined, you will succeed,” he not succeed immediately or overnight, but I am enormously confident, and I cannot have quantifiable objectives, criteria and long-term ambition of seeing an African nation win the FIFA World Cup, noting that the continent has the talent and potential to Egypt at the tournament, Motsepe emphasized that African football will be stronger when traditional giantssepe said.

Nigeria, a three-time Africa Cup of Nations champion, and Cameroon, one of Africa’s most successful football nations, both missed out on qualification despite their rich World Cup pedigree.

Cameroon made history in 1990 by becoming the first African country to reach the FIFA World Cup quarter-finals, while Nigeria has consistently impressed on the global stage, advancing to the Round of 16 on several occasions and producing some of Africa’s most memorable World Cup moments.

Despite the disappointment of their absence, Motsepe expressed optimism about the future of African football, stressing that CAF remains committed to improving the standard of the game across the continent.

He revealed that the continental football governing body plans to increase investment in youth development, coaching education, infrastructure and competitions to help more African nations become competitive on the world stage.

“And a part of what we are going to do is to work harder than we have ever done before because in life, if you work hard and you are determined, you will succeed,” he added.

Motsepe acknowledged that meaningful progress requires patience but said he is confident that sustained commitment will deliver long-term success.

“You may not succeed immediately or overnight, but I am enormously confident, and I cannot have quantifiable objectives, criteria and facts that justify the optimism,” he said.

The CAF president reiterated his long-term ambition of seeing an African nation win the FIFA World Cup, noting that the continent has the talent and potential to compete with football’s traditional heavyweights.

While commending the performances of countries such as Morocco and Egypt at the tournament, Motsepe emphasized that African football will be stronger when traditional giants like Nigeria and Cameroon return to the World Cup.

He maintained that with continued investment, strategic planning and grassroots development, more African nations will qualify consistently for future World Cups, strengthening the continent’s presence on football’s biggest stage.

Samuel Ahmadu

Samuel Ahmadu is a distinguished multimedia journalist and women's football expert with over 15 years of experience in the industry. On the back of domestic engagement since 2008, he began his international career journey at Goal.com in February 2014, where he served as an African women's football correspondent for nearly eight years. During his tenure at Goal.com, Samuel covered major events such as three Women's Africa Cup of Nations (2016, 2018, 2022) and the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada plus 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. His work at Goal.com earned him widespread acclaim, particularly for his in-depth profiles of African football stars, notably Asisat Oshoala, whose rise he documented from her early years to her breakthrough at the FIFA U20 Women's World Cup in 2014. Prior to his role at Goal.com, Samuel freelanced for various print and broadcast media outlets in Nigeria, including Graphics Newspaper, Radio Nigeria, Grace FM, and Savid Newspaper. His extensive experience and expertise led to his appointment to the Nigeria Football Federation's Standing Committee on Women's Football Development from 2016 to 2018. Since February 2018, Samuel has been the Social Media Manager for Nigeria's women's national teams.In 2019, Samuel joined the Confederation of African Football (CAF) as a women's football content contributor and was promoted to Women's Football Editor in 2021. His contributions to women's football continued as he worked as a Media Consultant for Content Creation and Editorials at the 2022 CAF Women's Champions League. Currently, Samuel also serves as the spokesman for the Nigeria Women Football League, further solidifying his influence and dedication to the growth of women's football in Africa.

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