Ex-Super Eagles Star Moses Kpakor Warns Nigeria to Rebuild for 2030 World Cup
Nigeria's fading hopes for the 2026 World Cup have prompted a stark warning from former Super Eagles defender Moses Kpakor, who insists the nation must stop waiting for FIFA and start rebuilding immediately. With the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) scheduling March friendlies instead of preparing for potential playoffs, Kpakor believes it is time to manage expectations and focus on long-term development for the 2030 tournament.
NFF's March Friendlies Signal Shift in Focus
The NFF has confirmed that the Super Eagles will participate in a Four-Nation Invitational Tournament in Amman, Jordan, during the March international window. This window is typically reserved for the final World Cup playoffs, but Nigeria will face Iran on March 27 and hosts Jordan four days later at the Amman International Stadium. The timing has raised eyebrows, as it suggests the federation is planning for a future without the 2026 World Cup rather than holding out for a last-minute reprieve from FIFA.
Kpakor, in an interview with Afrik-Foot, emphasized that these friendlies should mark the beginning of a rebuild. "I think we are in a good place with the Super Eagles, and I expect that we should use this to start our rebuilding since we will not be at the World Cup," he stated. He pointed to Nigeria's bronze-medal finish at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations as a foundation to build upon, not a final achievement.
FIFA's Delayed Ruling Leaves Nigeria in Limbo
Nigeria's petition to FIFA stems from their playoff defeat to DR Congo last November, where the NFF accused the Congolese side of fielding players who may not have been eligible due to dual citizenship issues. Despite the seriousness of the claim, FIFA has yet to announce a ruling, leaving players, officials, and supporters in a state of uncertainty. The lack of a clear timetable has disrupted preparations, with former Super Eagles defender Ben Iroha also expressing concerns over the delay.
Publicly, the NFF maintains that the matter is under review, but their actions, such as committing to friendly matches, indicate they are preparing for a scenario without World Cup football in 2026. Kpakor noted that Nigeria's failure to qualify for the last two World Cups makes long-term planning unavoidable, urging the integration of younger players to reshape the squad for 2030.
Rebuilding for the Future
Kpakor believes the priority now should be on learning and development rather than immediate results. The friendlies in Jordan, he argues, are an opportunity to identify which players can form the spine of the next generation. "For him, the friendlies in Jordan are less about results and more about learning which players can form the spine of the next generation," he explained. This approach aligns with his call for Nigerians to shift focus from the 2026 World Cup and invest in a sustainable rebuild.
As the football community awaits FIFA's verdict, Kpakor's message is clear: Nigeria must embrace this period of transition and use it to build a stronger team for future competitions. The NFF's scheduling decisions, combined with the ongoing FIFA uncertainty, underscore the need for strategic planning and patience in the face of disappointment.
