Motsepe: World Cup Incomplete Without Nigeria, Cameroon as CAF President Hails African Giants

Confederation of African Football (CAF) President Patrice Motsepe has described the 2026 FIFA World Cup as incomplete without the presence of Nigeria and Cameroon, praising the two African football giants for their historic contributions to the global game.

Motsepe made the remarks on Wednesday during a global press conference in Johannesburg, South Africa, where he reviewed Africa’s performance at the tournament and discussed the future of football on the continent.

Nigeria’s Super Eagles failed to qualify for the World Cup, extending their absence from football’s biggest stage to two consecutive editions after missing the 2022 tournament in Qatar.

Under coach Eric Chelle, Nigeria finished second behind South Africa in Group C of the CAF qualifiers before defeating Gabon in the playoff semi-final. Their qualification hopes ended in the final playoff round after a penalty shootout defeat to the Democratic Republic of Congo following a 1-1 draw.

The Nigeria Football Federation later challenged DR Congo’s eligibility for the match, alleging that the opponents fielded ineligible players, but the appeal was dismissed.

Despite the setback, Motsepe insisted Nigeria remained one of Africa’s most influential football nations, saying the country’s absence created a void at the World Cup.

“I’m very proud of Nigeria, Cameroon. I can say the same about every one of the 54 nations. Nigeria didn’t make it now,” Motsepe said.

“And I keep telling my Nigerian friends, a World Cup for me without Nigeria, without Cameroon and many others, is incomplete because Nigeria has always made us proud.”

The CAF president said Nigeria’s failure to qualify did not change his belief in the country’s football potential, noting that the nation continues to produce some of the best talents in world football.

“How many superstars are there? Not here, Nigeria, everywhere. Many, many outstanding young players,” he said.

Motsepe also highlighted the unifying role of the Super Eagles, recalling how the national team brings Nigerians together regardless of ethnic, regional or religious differences.

“When I went to Nigeria, I was told when the national team plays, there’s nobody from the north, there’s nobody from the south. We’re all Nigerians. There’s no Christian, there’s no Muslim. We are all Nigerians,” he said.

Nigeria has since fallen to fourth among African countries in the latest FIFA rankings, behind Morocco, Senegal and Egypt, although the country remains 26th globally.

FIFA previously noted that Nigeria’s return to the World Cup in 2030 would depend not only on its wealth of talent but also on developing stronger football structures capable of producing consistent results.

Motsepe said Africa’s showing at the 2026 World Cup demonstrated the continent’s growing competitiveness, pointing to Cape Verde’s performance and Egypt’s display against Argentina as examples of progress.

“Nigeria has got some of the best players not just in Africa but in the world, and I’m confident Nigeria will continue to make us proud as they did in the past, same Cameroon and same Bafana Bafana,” he said.

The CAF president also announced that the organisation’s Ordinary General Assembly would take place in Abuja in November, describing Nigeria as a “proud football nation.”

“There’s a reason why I took it to Nigeria,” Motsepe said.