2026 WC Playoff: Nigeria Players, Officials Boycott Training in Bonus row
The Super Eagles’ preparations for Thursday’s crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup playoff against Gabon in Morocco have been thrown into disarray following a player boycott over unpaid bonuses and allowances.
The full squad, including officials, did not train on Tuesday in Morocco due to unresolved issues with outstanding payments dating back several months.
The Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) has yet to issue an official statement, but sources within the federation suggest emergency talks are underway to resolve the impasse. Officials fear the protest could derail the team’s focus ahead of the decisive playoff against a Gabon side buoyed by their recent resurgence in African football.
Nigeria, three-time African champions, are seeking a return to the FIFA World Cup after missing out on the 2022 edition in Qatar. Any disruption to preparations could prove costly, as only one of the two sides will advance to the final qualification round.
The situation echoes similar crises that have plagued Nigerian football in the past, with disputes over bonuses surfacing during major tournaments, including the 2013 Confederations Cup and the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
