Ex-Leeds United star faults NFF for Super Eagles World Cup miss

Ex-Leeds United centre-back Sam Sodje has faulted the Nigerian Football Federation for the Super Eagles’ failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Afrik Foot reports.

This year’s Mundial, set to be hosted across Mexico, Canada and the United States of America, is the first edition to feature ten African nations.

Sodje, who represented the Green and Whites five times, believes this ‘Golden’ generation of players have been let down by poor administration.

Sam Sodje faults NFF for Super Eagles World Cup absence

Since Nigeria’s maiden appearance on the World stage in 1994, the Super Eagles have only failed to qualify for the 2006 edition until 2022.

They’ve now seen two World Cups pass them by, and Sodje believes there must be issues off the pitch preventing a talented group of players from qualifying for the biggest tournament in football.

“I think we’ve thrown it away by not qualifying for two World Cups and struggling for the last couple of Nations Cups,” the 46-year-old said in an interview with Footy Africa.

“Because if you ask me—I know we all praise the ’94 set, the ’96 set—but believe me, with this new generation, I think we had the best generation ever and I think we blew it.

“Hopefully, they are still around for a couple of years’ time, but football is a funny game; you just never know how long you can play for.

“But we definitely blew it, and I don’t blame the players, I blame the organization.

“Missing the World Cup for twice in a row really killed the chance for these players to go out there and explore their talents and get that kind of recognition the former players had.

“So yeah, it’s so sad. Hopefully, they can win something because I think this is a golden generation,” the former West Bromwich Albion defender concluded.

The Super Eagles, despite their absence from the 2026 World Cup, will be in action at the end of the club season.

Eric Chelle’s men will play the 2026 Unity Cup in London later this month, before engaging in friendlies against Poland and Portugal next month.