The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has paid tribute to Nigeria and Cameroon ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, despite both nations missing out on qualification for the global showpiece.
The countdown to the tournament is almost over, with just four days remaining before the opening fixture between co-hosts Mexico and South Africa on June 11, 2026.
The upcoming edition of the FIFA World Cup will be historic for several reasons. It marks the debut of the expanded 48-team format, the first World Cup staged in the United States since 1994, and the first time three countries will jointly host the competition.
With the tournament’s expansion, continental allocations were increased, giving Africa nine automatic qualification spots, along with an additional place available through the intercontinental playoff route.
According to CAF, Senegal, Morocco, Egypt, Algeria, Ghana, Tunisia, Cote d’Ivoire, South Africa, and first-time qualifiers Cape Verde secured direct qualification for the tournament.
DR Congo also earned a place after successfully progressing through the playoff stage.
CAF Sends Message To Nigeria and Cameroon
As part of its build-up to the World Cup, CAF has been highlighting memorable moments from African nations that have graced football’s biggest stage.
In doing so, the continental football body also acknowledged some of Africa’s traditional powerhouses that will not be participating in this year’s competition.
Among the notable absentees are Nigeria’s Super Eagles and Cameroon’s Indomitable Lions, two of the continent’s most successful and respected football nations.
Nigeria ended their qualification campaign in second place in Group C behind South Africa.
The Super Eagles subsequently defeated Gabon in the semi-finals of the African playoff but fell short in the decisive encounter against DR Congo, losing via a penalty shootout.
Cameroon’s hopes were also dashed after they finished behind debutants Cape Verde in Group D. Their playoff journey ended in the semi-finals following a defeat to the Democratic Republic of Congo.
CAF used its official X account to celebrate Nigeria’s memorable World Cup debut in 1994, a campaign famously led by the late Rashidi Yekini.
They posted:
“Nigeria in 1994. Let us tell you all about their historic #FIFAWorldCup debut. Group winners. A Yekini moment for the ages. Everything about it was destined to go down in history. 🇳🇬,”
Nigeria in 1994. Let us tell you all about their historic #FIFAWorldCup debut.
Group winners. A Yekini moment for the ages.
Everything about it was destined to go down in history. 🇳🇬 pic.twitter.com/M3Fm5WdB08— CAF Online (@CAF_Online) June 7, 2026
The football governing body also looked back on Cameroon’s remarkable run at the 1990 World Cup, when the team, inspired by legendary forward Roger Milla, captured global attention.
The post read: “Cameroon in 1990. An African #FIFAWorldCup story we’ll never stop telling. The Indomitable Lions defied expectations and left a mark on football history forever. 🇨🇲,”
Although Nigeria’s quest to secure a place at the World Cup has come to an end, the country remains involved in a legal dispute concerning the qualification process.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) is currently pursuing a case against DR Congo at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
According to the federation, FIFA rejected Nigeria’s complaint regarding the eligibility of certain foreign-born DR Congo players. Following that decision, the NFF escalated the matter to CAS, which is expected to deliver its ruling later this year.
