Russia to Invite Nigeria’s Super Eagles as Special Guests at the 2026 World Cup

Nigeria’s Super Eagles may have missed the 2026 World Cup after their heartbreaking 4-3 penalty loss to DR Congo in the African playoff, but a new opportunity could put them back on the international stage.

The Russian Football Union is reportedly planning an unprecedented parallel tournament for teams that failed to qualify for the main event, according to All Football.

Reports circulating in the international media said the idea is to bring together countries that will not be at the 2026 World Cup. The proposed lineup includes Russia, Serbia, Greece, Chile, Peru, Venezuela, Nigeria, Cameroon, and China.

The tournament would mix nations with strong World Cup histories and others seeking competitive experience.
Nigeria’s Super Eagles may have missed the 2026 World Cup after their heartbreaking 4-3 penalty loss to DR Congo in the African playoff, but a new opportunity could put them back on the international stage.

This proposal comes as Russia continues to face sporting sanctions and has been excluded from FIFA competitions since 2022 as a punishment for invading Ukraine. The country has not participated in qualifiers or European Championships, which has limited its international exposure.

Hosting a parallel tournament would allow Russia to reclaim visibility and demonstrate its ability to organise major events.

Even with the 2026 World Cup expanding to 48 teams, many countries will miss out. This creates an opportunity for Russia to invite those nations and offer them a stage to compete at a high level.

The plan is still in its early stages, but it is already generating international discussion and could become one of the most talked-about developments leading up to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.