# Nigeria at the FIFA World Cup

> Nigeria's Super Eagles have appeared at six FIFA World Cup finals — 1994, 1998, 2002, 2010, 2014 and 2018 — reaching the Round of 16 three times (1994, 1998, 2014) but never advancing further. The team missed the 2006 and 2022 tournaments and, after losing a contested play-off final to DR Congo, will also miss 2026.

**Category:** Sports · **Updated:** 2026-07-26 19:36:35 · **Canonical:** https://nigeriastuff.org/a/nigeria-at-the-fifa-world-cup

## Key facts
- **First appearance:** 1994, United States
- **Total appearances:** 6 — 1994, 1998, 2002, 2010, 2014, 2018
- **Best finish:** Round of 16 (1994, 1998, 2014)
- **1994 debut coach:** Clemens Westerhof
- **1994 Round of 16:** Lost 2–1 (aet) to Italy, Roberto Baggio double
- **2014 Round of 16:** Lost 2–0 to France
- **Missed World Cups:** 2006, 2022, 2026
- **2026 play-off:** Lost to DR Congo, 1–1 (4–3 pens), 16 Nov 2025

## Sources
- Nigeria v Bulgaria, 1994 World Cup Group D — athlet.org (https://athlet.org/football/world-cup/1994/finals/group-d/1994-06-21-nigeria-bulgaria.html)
- Argentina v Nigeria, 1994 World Cup Group D — athlet.org (https://athlet.org/football/world-cup/1994/finals/group-d/1994-06-25-argentina-nigeria.html)
- Nigeria v Italy, 1994 World Cup Round of 16 — athlet.org (https://athlet.org/football/world-cup/1994/finals/second-phase/1994-07-05-nigeria-italy.html)
- Spain v Nigeria, 1998 World Cup Group D — athlet.org (https://athlet.org/football/world-cup/1998/finals/group-d/1998-06-13-spain-nigeria.html)
- Nigeria v Denmark, 1998 World Cup Round of 16 — athlet.org (https://athlet.org/football/world-cup/1998/finals/second-phase/1998-06-28-nigeria-denmark.html)
- Argentina v Nigeria, 2002 World Cup Group F — athlet.org (https://athlet.org/football/world-cup/2002/finals/group-f/2002-06-02-argentina-nigeria.html)
- 2010 World Cup Group B — Standings, Fixtures and Results — athlet.org (https://athlet.org/football/world-cup/2010/finals/group-b)
- France v Nigeria, 2014 World Cup Round of 16 — athlet.org (https://athlet.org/football/world-cup/2014/finals/second-phase/2014-06-30-france-nigeria.html)
- Nigeria v Iceland, 2018 World Cup Group D — athlet.org (https://athlet.org/football/world-cup/2018/finals/group-d/2018-06-22-nigeria-iceland.html)
- Nigeria Files FIFA Protest Over DRC Eligibility in World Cup Playoff — Daily Sabah (https://www.dailysabah.com/sports/football/nigeria-files-fifa-protest-over-drc-eligibility-in-world-cup-playoff)
- 2026 World Cup: FIFA Verdict on Nigeria-DR Congo Eligibility Case Explained — SOJ World News (https://www.sojworldnews.com/fifa-verdict-nigeria-dr-congo-2026-world-cup/)
- Nigeria Challenges FIFA Ruling Over DR Congo as World Cup Playoff Dispute Escalates — Africa Soccer (https://africasoccer.com/nigeria-challenges-fifa-ruling-over-dr-congo-as-world-cup-playoff-dispute-escalates/)
- Three times Nigeria failed to qualify for World Cup — Vanguard Nigeria (https://www.vanguardngr.com/2026/04/three-times-nigeria-failed-to-qualify-for-world-cup/)

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