Super Eagles head coach Éric Chelle has publicly apologized for the team’s failure to secure a spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. In a heartfelt statement, the 48-year-old tactician expressed his deep regret over the missed opportunity.
Nigeria will not participate in the upcoming World Cup finals, which are set to take place in Canada, Mexico, and the United States. The Super Eagles’ journey ended in the African playoffs, where they lost to the Democratic Republic of Congo in a penalty shootout, with a 4-3 scoreline.
Additionally, Chelle apologized for the team’s disappointing performance at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, where they finished in third place. The three-time champions failed to claim the title.
Despite these setbacks, the Super Eagles managed to retain the Unity Cup by defeating Jamaica 3-0 in London. Following the match, Chelle thanked Nigerians for their unwavering support. He stated, “I want to once again say sorry we didn’t go to the World Cup, this is my feeling, sorry we didn’t win the AFCON, I tried to do my job.” He added, “I want to say thank you for all the support that was put in the team and once again I will give everything to this national team.”