The Super Eagles at the World Cup: a short history
The FIFA World Cup is held every four years and is the biggest event in football. Nigeria has qualified several times, and each tournament left moments that fans still talk about. This short history covers the main ones. Check FIFA's official records if you need exact line-ups or dates.
1994: the first World Cup
Nigeria made its World Cup debut in the United States in 1994. The team won its group and reached the round of 16, where it lost 2-1 to Italy after extra time, with Roberto Baggio scoring for the Italians late in the game. In the same tournament Rashidi Yekini scored Nigeria's first ever World Cup goal, and his celebration, clinging to the goal net, became one of the best-known images in Nigerian football.
1998: back in France
Nigeria qualified again for the 1998 World Cup in France. The team won its group, helped by a famous win over Spain, but lost to Denmark in the round of 16. That generation is remembered for players such as Jay-Jay Okocha and Nwankwo Kanu, and Kanu had won Olympic gold with Nigeria in 1996.
2002, 2010 and 2014
Nigeria played at the 2002 World Cup in Japan and South Korea and at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, and on both occasions did not get out of the group stage. In 2014, in Brazil, the team won a group match and reached the round of 16, where it lost 2-0 to France.
2018: Russia
The Super Eagles were back at the World Cup in Russia in 2018. They were in a tough group, and a late goal decided a close match against Argentina that sent Nigeria home. Many fans still remember how near the team came to qualifying for the next round.
Missing out
Qualification is not guaranteed. African teams must win their qualifying group and, in recent tournaments, sometimes play extra play-off matches to earn a place. Nigeria has missed some tournaments, including after qualifiers that were decided on the final matchday, which is why every qualifying match gets so much attention.
How qualifying works
Teams from each continent play qualification matches over two years or so. The best teams in each group progress, and the number of African places depends on the size of the tournament. Qualifiers are played during international windows in March, June, September, October and November, and ScoreHub lists them with the other matches on those days.
To follow the Super Eagles as they chase the next qualification, open the Super Eagles page, or follow Nigeria to get alerts for every kick-off and goal.