The Nigeria Football Federation has apologised to President Bola Tinubu and Nigerians after the Super Eagles’ hope of playing at the 2026 FIFA World Cup ended on Sunday following a penalty shootout defeat to DR Congo in the final of the African Playoff Tournament in Morocco.

“The Nigeria Football Federation wishes to openly and sincerely apologise to His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR), to the federal government as a whole, and to millions of Nigerians, most especially our passionate, loyal football fans, following the Super Eagles’ failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup finals,” the federation said in a statement on Monday.

The NFF, which has been constantly criticised by football fans for its complicity in the downward trajectory of Nigerian football in recent years, said the defeat was a profound blow to the country after also failing to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

“Sunday’s loss to DR Congo in the Africa Play-off Final in Rabat remains a moment of profound sadness for Nigerian football,” the NFF said. “For a nation where the Super Eagles serve as a symbol of unity, hope, and collective pride, missing out on the World Cup for a second consecutive time is a disappointment of great weight and emotional depth.”

Speaking further, the federation stated that the players and technical staff were aware of the seriousness of missing out on the highest football showdown in North America, while acknowledging that they had let Nigerians down despite their unrelenting support.

“The NFF, the technical crew, and the players understand the gravity of this moment. We understand the expectations Nigerians rightly hold. We understand the passion and sacrifice of a country that has always stood firmly behind its team, through triumphs and trials. And we recognise that our collective effort did not deliver the outcome this nation deserved,” the federation added.

‎The Eagles were edged out of the qualifiers after a 1-1 draw in extra time, followed by a 4-3 penalty loss to DR Congo on Sunday, marking Nigeria’s second consecutive failure to qualify for the World Cup.