Ex-England Star Eniola Aluko Explains Why the Super Eagles Missed 2026 World Cup Qualification

Former England international Eniola Aluko has said that the Super Eagles’ strike was not the main reason Nigeria failed to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The national team went on strike two days before their crucial African playoff semifinal against Gabon, demanding that the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) pay the players’ entitlements.

After resolving the dispute, Nigeria beat Gabon after extra time but then lost a heartbreaking penalty shootout to the Democratic Republic of Congo in the playoff final.

Aluko maintained that the players’ performance against the Leopards was the real cause of Nigeria’s failure to qualify.

“We are not going to the FIFA World Cup because we lost to DR Congo. They were not good enough on the day,” she said on the ThePlayzone podcast.

Aluko, who played for Chelsea, added, “I agree we should have won, but going on strike is not the reason we lost the game.”

“But I think the timing was wrong. I agree if they do that, they are not focusing one hundred percent on what they need to do.”

“My point is to eliminate the chance for any player to do that, and when I say that I’m talking about the Federation and management.”

“That’s an easy thing. Just pay people on time so they don’t have an excuse to say when they lose.”

While Lagos‑born Eniola earned more than 100 caps for England, her brother Sone Aluko has played for the Super Eagles.