Africa-Press – Ghana. Some Cameroonian and Nigerian soccer fans worldwide have expressed heartbreak, noting that Victor Osimhen and Bryan Mbeumo’s absence in next year’s World Cup in USA, Mexico and Canada, robs Africa of its most lethal strikers.
Many feel CAF qualification formats are unforgiving, and Nigeria’s failure is seen as a national tragedy due to their huge population, previous performances and potential financial loss in terms of television rights and advertisement sponsorship.
Cameroon supporters lamented missing André Onana’s commanding presence and Bryan Mbeumo’s flair. Vincent Aboubakar’s absence feels like losing a legend before his final act.
Footbal fans around the globe are excited about the expanded representation of the World Cup from 32 to 48 nations but acknowledge that the absence of African giants reduces the tournament’s competitive balance.Cameron fans recalled Aboubakar’s goal against Brazil in 2022 as a reminder of what the world will miss.
Impact of Television Coverage
The 2026 World Cup will be the largest ever, with 48 teams and 104 matches broadcast globally. Rights have already been secured by Fox (U.S.), NBCUniversal (Spanish), and Bell Media (Canada). Expanded coverage ensures unprecedented visibility, but the absence of Nigeria and Cameron means fewer African stars on screen, reducing potential advertising and sponsorship appeal in African markets.
Nigeria’s failure to qualify cost the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) at least $9 million in guaranteed participation fees. Cameron faces similar losses; depriving FIFA of lucrative African viewership tied to these footballing giants.
The missed opportunity highlights how qualification directly impacts national federations’ finances and FIFA’s global commercial reach.
Past Performances of Nigeria & Cameroon
Nigeria’s six World Cup appearances, reaching the Round of 16 three times (1994, 1998, 2014). Known for flair and attacking football. Cameron’s record eight appearances, the highest by any African nation, famously reaching the quarterfinals in 1990 World Cup, being the first African nation to do so. Their upset win against Brazil in 2022 remains iconic. Both Cameron and Nigeria have historically carried Africa’s hopes at the World Cup, making their absence in 2026 even more glaring.
Lessons for Other African Nations
Ghana, Egypt, Morocco, and Senegal must learn from Nigeria and Cameroon’s struggles. It is imperative for countries to avoid complacency against smaller nations. It’s also important to invest in youth development and build depth beyond star players.
Investment in Football Infrastructure in Africa
FIFA and CAF have invested over $1 billion in African football since 2016, with the FIFA Forward Programme projected to reach $1.28 billion by 2026. These funds modernize stadiums, training facilities, and academies, aiming to prevent future qualification failures by strengthening grassroots football.
Newbies in World Cup
Football fans across the globe view Cabo Verde and Haiti’s qualification as refreshing underdog stories. Cabo Verde, with a population of just over 500,000, qualified for their first-ever World Cup in 2026, finishing ahead of Cameroon. Their success shows that discipline, organization, and belief can overcome size and resources. Other nations must learn that small doesn’t mean weakness, and that investment in coaching and unity can topple giants.
Haiti qualified for the World Cup for the first time since 1974. Their story resonates across the Caribbean, adding cultural diversity and fan enthusiasm to the tournament. Despite political instability, their qualification symbolizes resilience and will boost Caribbean interest in the Mundial.
The absence of Nigeria and Cameroon is a loss of talent, heritage, and financial opportunity. Yet, Cabo Verde and Haiti’s historic qualifications remind the world that football thrives on surprises.
For Africa, the lesson is clear: invest in infrastructure, nurture talent, and never underestimate smaller nations. The 2026 World Cup will be historic, but without Africa’s football giants it is a bittersweet lesson for all.
Source: Ghana News Agency
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