Nigeria Set to Miss Six Major International Football Competitions in 2027
Nigeria is facing a difficult period in football after qualification failures involving the Super Falcons, Flying Eagles, Golden Eaglets and Super Sand Eagles left the country set to miss six major international competitions in 2027.
The setbacks affect women’s football, men’s youth football and beach soccer, raising concerns about the country’s preparations and performance in international competitions.
The six competitions Nigeria is set to miss are the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup, U-20 Africa Cup of Nations, FIFA U-20 World Cup, U-17 Africa Cup of Nations, FIFA U-17 World Cup and Africa Beach Soccer Cup of Nations.
The latest disappointment came on Saturday when the Golden Eaglets were eliminated from the 2026 WAFU-B U-17 Championship in Burkina Faso after a 1-1 draw against Côte d’Ivoire.
Nigeria needed a win to reach the semi-finals but failed to get the required result after losing their opening match to Niger Republic.
The result ended the Golden Eaglets’ hopes of qualifying for the 2027 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations and FIFA U-17 World Cup.
The Super Sand Eagles also suffered a setback after losing 10-7 on aggregate to Ghana in the qualifiers for the Africa Beach Soccer Cup of Nations. Nigeria drew the first leg 3-3 at home before losing 7-4 in the return match in Keta, Ghana.
Here are the six major competitions Nigeria is set to miss in 2027.
1. FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027
Nigeria’s Super Falcons are set to miss the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil after failing to qualify for the tournament.
The development is a major disappointment for the nine-time African champions, who reached the round of 16 at the 2023 edition before losing to England on penalties.
The team later won the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, confirming its position as one of Africa’s strongest sides.
The failure to qualify would end Nigeria’s record of appearing at every edition of the Women’s World Cup since the tournament began in 1991.
2. U-20 Africa Cup of Nations 2027
The Flying Eagles will also miss the 2027 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations after losing 4-1 to Burkina Faso in the final of the WAFU-B U-20 Championship in August.
Burkina Faso and hosts Ghana secured qualification for the continental tournament.
Nigeria’s failure to qualify is a setback for a team that won the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations in 1983 and 1985.
Missing the competition will deny another generation of Nigerian players the opportunity to compete against some of Africa’s best young talents.
3. FIFA U-20 World Cup 2027
The Flying Eagles’ failure to qualify for the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations also means Nigeria will miss the 2027 FIFA U-20 World Cup.
The African championship serves as the qualification route for the continent’s representatives at the global tournament.
Nigeria have reached the final of the FIFA U-20 World Cup twice, finishing as runners-up in 1989 and 2005.
The team also reached the quarter-finals in 2023 before losing to South Korea.
Missing the 2027 edition will deprive young Nigerian players of an important opportunity to gain international experience and attract interest from clubs around the world.
4. U-17 Africa Cup of Nations 2027
The Golden Eaglets will miss the 2027 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations following their elimination from the WAFU-B U-17 Championship in Burkina Faso.
Nigeria needed a victory against Côte d’Ivoire on Saturday to keep their qualification hopes alive but settled for a 1-1 draw.
The result, following their earlier defeat to Niger Republic, ended their hopes of reaching the semi-finals.
The setback is a major disappointment for Nigeria, which has a strong history in youth football.
The Golden Eaglets’ failure to qualify also raises questions about the country’s scouting, coaching, preparation and grassroots football development.
5. FIFA U-17 World Cup 2027
Nigeria will also miss the 2027 FIFA U-17 World Cup after the Golden Eaglets failed to qualify for the U-17 Africa Cup of Nations.
The Golden Eaglets are the most successful team in the history of the competition, having won the world title five times in 1985, 1993, 2007, 2013 and 2015.
However, Nigeria’s last appearance at the tournament was in 2019, when the team reached the round of 16 before losing 3-1 to the Netherlands.
Missing the 2027 edition will extend the country’s absence from the competition and deny another group of young players the chance to compete on the world stage.
6. Africa Beach Soccer Cup of Nations 2027
The Super Sand Eagles have also failed to qualify for the 2027 Africa Beach Soccer Cup of Nations after losing to Ghana.
Nigeria drew the first leg 3-3 at home but suffered a 7-4 defeat in the return match in Keta, giving Ghana a 10-7 aggregate victory.
The result is another setback for Nigerian beach soccer, which has enjoyed success in the past.
The Super Sand Eagles won the continental title in 2016 and finished runners-up in 2018.
Their failure to qualify for the 2027 tournament will deny Nigeria another opportunity to compete for the African title.
Nigerian Football Faces Tough Questions
The prospect of missing six major international competitions in 2027 represents a difficult period for Nigerian football.
The failures affect the senior women’s team, both men’s youth teams and the national beach soccer side.
While the Super Falcons’ absence would be a major blow to women’s football, the Flying Eagles and Golden Eaglets’ struggles raise concerns about the country’s youth development system.
The Super Sand Eagles’ failure also shows that Nigeria’s qualification problems extend beyond the traditional 11-a-side game.
The results are likely to increase calls for the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and other stakeholders to review their approach to coaching, scouting, funding, preparation and grassroots development.
Nigeria has a proud history in international football, but past achievements alone cannot guarantee future success.
Improved planning, stronger youth development programmes and better preparation will be important if the country hopes to return to winning ways and avoid further disappointment in future qualification campaigns.
