World Cup 2026 Playoff: Super Eagles Boycott Training Over Unpaid Bonuses

Nigeria’s Super Eagles and their technical staff boycotted training in Rabat on Tuesday over long-standing unpaid bonuses. The boycott comes just two days before their crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup Africa play-off semi-final against Gabon.


According to BBC journalist Oluwashina Okeleji, the outstanding payments date back to 2019, and include bonuses for the team’s qualification for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and the ongoing 2026 FIFA World Cup play-offs.

When contacted, Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Communications Director Ademola Olajire and Super Eagles media officer Promise Efoghe did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The 23-man squad currently in camp includes captain William Troost-Ekong, Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, Alex Iwobi, and Wilfred Ndidi, among others. The team had held its first full training session on Monday with 14 players,

Nigeria will face Gabon on Thursday, November 13, at the 22,000-capacity Moulay Hassan Stadium in Rabat. The other semi-final will see Cameroon take on the Democratic Republic of Congo at El-Barid Stadium, with the winners meeting on November 16 to fight for a place in the inter-confederation play-offs.