ABUJA, NIGERIA — FIFA President Gianni Infantino has called for the development of stronger football structures and clearer pathways for talent development in Nigeria, urging stakeholders to build on the country’s rich football heritage to unlock its full potential on the global stage .
Infantino made the appeal during a meeting with Nigerian football officials in Abuja on Wednesday, where he reiterated FIFA’s commitment to supporting the growth of the game in Nigeria through targeted programmes and infrastructure investment . The FIFA President, who was in the country as part of a broader tour of African football federations, stressed that talent alone is insufficient without the supporting structures to nurture, develop, and sustain it .
The FIFA President welcomed ongoing reforms within the Nigeria Football Federation and the implementation of a new football development roadmap aimed at strengthening grassroots participation, improving coach education, and enhancing the competitiveness of the domestic league . He noted that while the country has consistently produced world-class players, the potential of Nigerian football remains largely untapped due to systemic challenges .
Infantino highlighted the importance of investing in youth development, stressing that a robust youth football system is essential for sustaining the country’s football success . He also commended the NFF’s efforts to reform its governance structures and improve transparency in the management of football resources, describing these as positive steps toward restoring confidence in Nigerian football .
He said that Nigeria’s elimination from the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations and failure to qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup were setbacks that could have been avoided with stronger structures and more deliberate planning . Nigeria’s absence from the women’s global showpiece for the first time in its history, he argued, should serve as a catalyst for reform rather than a moment of despair .
“Nigeria has abundant talent, but talent must be backed by structure,” Infantino stated. “The Super Falcons’ failure to qualify for the World Cup should be a wake-up call. We must work together to build the systems that will ensure Nigeria competes at the highest level consistently.”
The FIFA President’s comments come at a critical time for Nigerian football. The NFF has been under pressure to revitalise the domestic game, including the Nigeria Professional Football League, which has struggled with poor organisation, inadequate funding, and low spectator turnout. He noted that a well-organised domestic league is essential for player development and the overall health of the game, calling on the private sector and state governments to invest in football infrastructure and support the league’s development .
The FIFA President also addressed the need for improved football infrastructure, noting that many facilities across the country remain in poor condition. He said FIFA would continue to support infrastructure development in Nigeria, particularly through its FIFA Forward programme, which provides funding for football development projects, including the construction and renovation of pitches, the establishment of technical centres, and the training of coaches and referees . Since 2016, the FIFA Forward programme has committed over $800 million to football development globally .
Infantino also encouraged Nigerian football administrators to explore new revenue streams and commercial partnerships to reduce the federation’s dependence on government funding . The FIFA President suggested that private sector investment, broadcast rights, and sponsorship deals could provide sustainable funding for football development in Nigeria, aligning with the broader trend of commercialisation in African football .
The FIFA President expressed optimism about the future of Nigerian football, describing the country as “a sleeping giant with the potential to dominate African football and compete at the highest level globally.” He concluded his visit by reaffirming FIFA’s commitment to supporting the ongoing reforms and the implementation of the new football development roadmap . “We need to work together—FIFA, the NFF, the government, and the private sector—to build structures that will ensure Nigeria’s success on and off the pitch for generations to come,” he added .
