President Bola Tinubu on Monday commended the Super Eagles for “their efforts” after missing out on ticket for the 2026 World Cup.

On Sunday, the Super Eagles lost to DR Congo 4-3 on penalties in the final match of the African playoffs for the World Cup. The game had ended 1-1 after extra time.

“Notwithstanding the unfortunate loss, we must commend the players for their efforts and continue to support them,” Tinubu said in a statement.

The president then called on “football administrators, players, and indeed all stakeholders” to return to the “drawing board” and “plug all the loopholes”.

“Now is the time to focus all efforts on the Cup of Nations. Our Super Eagles must recover the lost glory.”

The Super Eagles also missed out on the 2022 World Cup. It is the first time Nigeria have failed to qualify for two consecutive World Cups since the country’s debut in 1994.

The 2025 AFCON will be held in Morocco from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026.

The Super Eagles are drawn in Group C against Tunisia, Tanzania and Uganda.

Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has accused the Democratic Republic of Congo of engaging in “voodoo” practices during the penalty shootout of the African World Cup playoffs final on Sunday night.

Nigeria failed to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after losing 4–3 on penalties, following a tense 1–1 draw after extra time.

Speaking to journalists after the defeat, Chelle claimed that members of the DR Congo technical crew were seen performing suspicious acts during the spot kicks.

According to him, someone on the Congolese bench appeared to use “some kind of water” to jinx Nigerian players before their attempts.

“During all the penalty sessions, DR Congo did some voodoo. Every time. Every time. That was why I was a bit nervous,” he said. “I saw something like water or something.”

Norway qualified for their first World Cup since 1998 after Erling Haaland struck again in a 4-1 thumping of Italy on Sunday which sealed a spot in next summer’s finals in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Haaland scored the decisive brace in the space of seconds at a soaking San Siro for Norway, who completed Group I with a perfect 24 points from their eight qualifying matches.

Norway would have had to lose by nine goals or more to be overtaken by Italy for the group’s only automatic place for next summer’s finals in North America.

Haaland’s father Alf-Inge was still an international player when Norway last competed in the World Cup 27 years ago, a tournament won by Zinedine Zidane-inspired France.

And the Manchester City striker will be one of the players to watch in North America after smashing in 16 goals during qualifying.