Nigeria Set to Miss Six Major International Football Competitions in 2027

Posted : 19 October 2026

Nigeria face a difficult period in international football, with six major competitions in 2027 set to take place without the country's national teams. Qualification setbacks involving the Super Falcons, Flying Eagles, Golden Eaglets and Super Sand Eagles have affected women's football, men's youth football and beach soccer.

The affected tournaments are the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup in Brazil, the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations, the FIFA U-20 World Cup, the U-17 Africa Cup of Nations, the FIFA U-17 World Cup and the Africa Beach Soccer Cup of Nations.

The latest setback came on Saturday, October 17, when the Golden Eaglets were eliminated from the WAFU-B U-17 Championship in Burkina Faso. Nigeria drew 1-1 with Côte d'Ivoire after an earlier defeat to Niger Republic, ending their hopes of reaching the semi-finals.

The result also ended Nigeria's chances of qualifying for the 2027 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations and the FIFA U-17 World Cup.

1. FIFA Women's World Cup 2027

The Super Falcons are set to miss the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup in Brazil after failing to qualify for the tournament. The development would end Nigeria's record of appearing at every edition since the competition began in 1991.

Nigeria reached the round of 16 at the 2023 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, where they lost to England on penalties. The team later won the 2024 Women's Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, reinforcing its status as one of Africa's leading sides.

Missing the next World Cup would be a major setback for the nine-time African champions and Nigerian women's football.

2. U-20 Africa Cup of Nations 2027

The Flying Eagles will miss the 2027 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations after losing 4-1 to Burkina Faso in the WAFU-B U-20 Championship final in August.

Burkina Faso and hosts Ghana secured qualification for the continental tournament. Nigeria's defeat ended its hopes of competing for another African title.

The Flying Eagles won the competition in 1983 and 1985. Their absence will also limit opportunities for emerging players to gain experience against the continent's leading youth teams.

3. FIFA U-20 World Cup 2027

Nigeria's failure to qualify for the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations also means the Flying Eagles will miss the 2027 FIFA U-20 World Cup.

The African championship provides the qualification pathway for the continent's representatives at the global tournament. Nigeria's elimination from the regional qualification process therefore leaves the country without a route to the competition.

The Flying Eagles have finished runners-up at the U-20 World Cup twice, in 1989 and 2005. They also reached the quarter-finals in 2023 before losing to South Korea.

Missing the 2027 edition will deny another generation of Nigerian players the chance to compete internationally and attract attention from professional clubs.

4. U-17 Africa Cup of Nations 2027

The Golden Eaglets have also lost their opportunity to compete at the 2027 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations.

Nigeria needed a victory against Côte d'Ivoire to keep its qualification hopes alive at the WAFU-B U-17 Championship. However, the 1-1 draw, following the defeat to Niger Republic, prevented the team from advancing to the semi-finals.

The five-time FIFA U-17 World Cup champions have now suffered another setback in their youth development pathway. Their failure to qualify also raises concerns about scouting, coaching, preparation and grassroots football development.

5. FIFA U-17 World Cup 2027

Nigeria's failure to qualify for the U-17 Africa Cup of Nations has also ended the Golden Eaglets' hopes of playing at the 2027 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar.

Nigeria remains the most successful nation in the tournament's history, having won the title in 1985, 1993, 2007, 2013 and 2015. The team has also finished runners-up three times.

Their last appearance came in 2019 in Brazil, where they reached the round of 16 before losing 3-1 to the Netherlands.

Missing the 2027 tournament would extend the country's absence from a competition where Nigerian youth teams have historically excelled.

6. Africa Beach Soccer Cup of Nations 2027

The Super Sand Eagles will also miss the 2027 Africa Beach Soccer Cup of Nations after losing their qualifying tie against Ghana.

Nigeria drew the first leg 3-3 at home but suffered a 7-4 defeat in the return fixture in Keta. Ghana's Black Sharks therefore secured a 10-7 aggregate victory to advance to the continental finals.

Nigeria previously won the competition in 2016 and finished runners-up in 2018. The latest elimination will deny the team another chance to compete for the African title.

The result also highlights the need for stronger preparation, sustained investment and regular competitive exposure in beach soccer.

The six qualification failures have exposed challenges across several areas of Nigerian football. They also present the Nigeria Football Federation with an opportunity to review coaching, scouting, funding, preparation and grassroots development to improve the country's prospects in future international competitions.