World Cup without Nigeria, Cameroon incomplete — CAF president

Confederation of African Football (CAF) president Patrice Motsepe has described the absence of Nigeria and Cameroon from the 2026 FIFA World Cup as a major disappointment, insisting the global showpiece is incomplete without two of Africa’s traditional football powerhouses.

Nigeria and Cameroon both failed to qualify for the expanded tournament, which was hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Spain eventually crowned champions.

Reflecting on Africa’s performance at the World Cup, Motsepe said the absence of both nations was deeply felt because of their rich history and enormous contribution to African football on the global stage.

Motsepe said: “Nigeria did not make the World Cup, and I keep telling people that a World Cup for me without Nigeria, Cameroon, and many others is incomplete because Nigerians and Cameroonians have all made us proud.”

The CAF president noted that Nigeria and Cameroon have consistently enhanced Africa’s reputation through memorable performances at previous World Cups.

Cameroon became the first African country to reach the quarter-finals of the FIFA World Cup in 1990, while Nigeria has repeatedly advanced to the Round of 16 and remains one of the continent’s most successful football nations.

Motsepe said: “I am happy for Nigeria and Cameroon.”

Despite the disappointment of their absence, Motsepe expressed confidence in the future of African football, stressing that CAF remains committed to helping more countries compete consistently at the highest level.

According to him, the continental football governing body will continue investing in youth development, coaching, infrastructure and competitions to strengthen football across Africa.

“And a part of what we are going to do is to work harder than we have ever done before because in life, if you work hard and you are determined, you will succeed,” he added.

Motsepe admitted that meaningful progress requires patience but expressed optimism that sustained commitment would deliver long-term success.

“You may not succeed immediately or overnight, but I am enormously confident, and I cannot have a quantifiable objective, criteria and facts that justify the optimism.”

The South African football administrator has repeatedly stated that one of CAF’s long-term ambitions is to see an African nation win the FIFA World Cup.

While acknowledging the performances of countries such as Morocco and Egypt at the 2026 tournament, Motsepe maintained that African football is at its strongest when traditional giants like Nigeria and Cameroon are present on the world’s biggest stage.

𝕤𝕖𝕖 𝕞𝕠𝕣𝕖/𝕨𝕒𝕥𝕔𝕙 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕧𝕚𝕕𝕖𝕠 𝕙𝕖𝕣𝕖