World Cup 2026: Nigeria trying to qualify through office – Sunday Oliseh

Former Super Eagles captain, Sunday Oliseh, has claimed that Nigeria is trying to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup tournament through the ‘office.’

Oliseh spoke during his Sunday Oliseh’s Global Football Insights following the conclusion of the 2025 AFCON tournament in Morocco which Senegal were crowned champions after beating the host nation in the final.

Recall that Nigeria failed to secure a World Cup ticket after losing against DR Congo in the playoff final last November.

The Nigeria Football Federation later filed a petition to FIFA, claiming that DR Congo fielded some ineligible players against the Super Eagles.

However, Oliseh feels Nigeria should take responsibility for failing to qualify for the World Cup, instead of looking to protest to FIFA against DR Congo.

“We fail to qualify for the 2026 World Cup on the pitch, where it actually matters. Instead of looking in the mirror and taking responsibility,” Oliseh said.

“We see these desperate protests to FIFA, against DR Congo. Have we not realized what is happening here? Since the announcement of these protests, the conversation has shifted.

“Many are no longer pointing fingers at those truly responsible for our failure; instead, they are cursing DR Congo. DR Congo used these same players against Cameroon before even playing us, and they used them right here in the AFCON without any issues.

“We are trying to qualify [for the World Cup] through an office, instead of through goals, tactics and hard work.”