African Football Discussion Thread Current Topic: 👉 AFCON 2025/2026

[knowngunman]

These fake news carriers should be ashamed of themselves that Nigeria couldn't make it to the world cup instead, of bringing up what has happened in the past and forgotten in order for people to read fake news and make money from them. How is it possible that FIFA will penalise Congo for Nigeria. In the beginning of this rumor, I didn't believe it.

I didn't even thought of the news being a fake news when I was reading Wakate post, but your post has made me to give the news about Nigeria still pushing for FIFA to penalize DR Congo and disqualify them from the world cup tournament to be all fake news. People should always verify to know if the information they are bringing up here is 100% true so that we won't be deliberating on fake news.

This is one issue we've been battling with as a country in this era of media and now it's getting it way into this forum. Every of our social media platform is filled with fake news publish by unprofessional platforms for attention and traffic generation. Unfortunately, instead of people to report such publications when they come across them, they end up sharing them without verifying and thereby aid spreading fake information across various platforms. Media platforms publish a ragebait posts about Nigeria world cup fate knowing that people are eager to read on that regard. There are official platforms to read about on any developments concerning this issue but people rely on random platforms as source of information. As far as the CAF, NFF or even FIFA didn't make any announcement on that regard, anything you see elsewhere is fake.

[Wakate]

I have heard about this information in local news outlets but I don't know how much truth it hold because this days news outlets can deliberately sell out fake and unconfirmed informations just to get traffic to their site. Such is the tendencies some of these new generation news outlets are exhibiting and the authorities needs to sanction them for these fake news. Nigeria as I understand lost their ticket in the WC qualifiers and that's the fact that they won't be participating in this year WC tournament again.

Many of the news outlets like writing controversial news to create engagement on their platform which is something they are doing to make money and survive the harsh economy by the current administration that have promised us to see shege in all aspects and endeavors. I will not bame these news outlets that like sharing fake news and because their is no law that has been established to bring them to book when they publish fake news without a real source.

[Agbamoni]

The Iranian sports minister has canceled Iran's men's team from participating in the men's football World Cup co-hosted by the US this summer. Considering the incident that took place regarding the family team in Australia a few days ago, he has prioritized the safety of the citizens first over all sports.

I am eager to know if another team will replace Iran, and perhaps Nigeria can stand a chance to participate in the playoffs. What's your take on this?

[Fiatless]

The Iranian sports minister has canceled Iran's men's team from participating in the men's football World Cup co-hosted by the US this summer. Considering the incident that took place regarding the family team in Australia a few days ago, he has prioritized the safety of the citizens first over all sports.

I am eager to know if another team will replace Iran, and perhaps Nigeria can stand a chance to participate in the playoffs. What's your take on this?

The embarrassment that some female Iranian players caused the country wants to be avoided. Seven of the female players have decided to remain in Australia after they were knocked out of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026. Some of these players refused to sing the national anthem during a match.

According to FIFA’s qualification regulations, if Iran withdraws from the tournament, the next-best ranked team from West Asia will take its place in the World Cup.

While Qatar is ranked just below Iran, the 2022 World Cup host has already punched its ticket to the World Cup finals, the next-best ranked team is Iran at 58.

Iraq’s place in the interconfederation playoffs will then be given to the United Arab Emirates, which lost the AFC fifth round qualifiers to the former.

https://sportstar.thehindu.com/football/international-football/explained-iran-to-withdraw-from-fifa-world-cup-2026-who-will-replace-them-united-states/article70731844.ece

Nigeria has no single chance of replacing Iran.

[letteredhub]

I have heard about this information in local news outlets but I don't know how much truth it hold because this days news outlets can deliberately sell out fake and unconfirmed informations just to get traffic to their site. Such is the tendencies some of these new generation news outlets are exhibiting and the authorities needs to sanction them for these fake news. Nigeria as I understand lost their ticket in the WC qualifiers and that's the fact that they won't be participating in this year WC tournament again.

Many of the news outlets like writing controversial news to create engagement on their platform which is something they are doing to make money and survive the harsh economy by the current administration that have promised us to see shege in all aspects and endeavors. I will not bame these news outlets that like sharing fake news and because their is no law that has been established to bring them to book when they publish fake news without a real source.

Why shouldn't they be responsible (be blamed) for their umprofessionalis? How doesn't an administration underperformance warrants the spread of unverified news from news outlets? Please enlighten me am lost mate.

The Iranian sports minister has canceled Iran's men's team from participating in the men's football World Cup co-hosted by the US this summer. Considering the incident that took place regarding the family team in Australia a few days ago, he has prioritized the safety of the citizens first over all sports.

I am eager to know if another team will replace Iran, and perhaps Nigeria can stand a chance to participate in the playoffs. What's your take on this?

The Iranian sports federation took the right decision as side from protecting their citizens it became necessary in order to afford further embarrassment of what happened with the female team.

Perhaps what can be done here is to replace Iran with the team that finished third position in their group to the World Cup.

[SuperBitMan]

The Iranian sports minister has canceled Iran's men's team from participating in the men's football World Cup co-hosted by the US this summer. Considering the incident that took place regarding the family team in Australia a few days ago, he has prioritized the safety of the citizens first over all sports.

I am eager to know if another team will replace Iran, and perhaps Nigeria can stand a chance to participate in the playoffs. What's your take on this?

I already knew that Iran will not participate in that World Cup because of the issue they are having with the United States of America, and for the fact that the United States of America are the ones hosting the World Cup they will not participate, I will never blame them for not participating because what is happening right now is something related to war between them and the United States so they need to protect the citizens.

I don’t think Nigeria will have an opportunity to replace Iran, I don’t like this hope we are always bringing up for Nigeria let stop hoping.

[Agbe]

The Iranian sports minister has canceled Iran's men's team from participating in the men's football World Cup co-hosted by the US this summer. Considering the incident that took place regarding the family team in Australia a few days ago, he has prioritized the safety of the citizens first over all sports.

I am eager to know if another team will replace Iran, and perhaps Nigeria can stand a chance to participate in the playoffs. What's your take on this?

The teams to participate in Africa are completed so there is no need for Nigeria Super Eagles to replace a team in another continent. There are teams like Nigeria position in the world cup in Asia and those teams will take the position of Iran. So we should not think of Nigeria going to that far. Agbamoni please can you drop the link to the news?

[Nightwatchmare]

The Iranian sports minister has canceled Iran's men's team from participating in the men's football World Cup co-hosted by the US this summer. Considering the incident that took place regarding the family team in Australia a few days ago, he has prioritized the safety of the citizens first over all sports.

I am eager to know if another team will replace Iran, and perhaps Nigeria can stand a chance to participate in the playoffs. What's your take on this?

It is sad after Iran managed to qualify for the world cup they will not participate in the world cup, but i am not surprised about the news because it was obvious that Iran might not travel to United States for the world cup since Iran and United States are at war now. When my friend told me the news of Iran withdrawing from the world cup, i told him that Nigeria will take the place of Iran in the world cup but he said no that it is Iraq that will take the place of Iran in the world cup.

[GiftedMAN]

The teams to participate in Africa are completed so there is no need for Nigeria Super Eagles to replace a team in another continent. There are teams like Nigeria position in the world cup in Asia and those teams will take the position of Iran. So we should not think of Nigeria going to that far. Agbamoni please can you drop the link to the news?

Some Nigerians are seriously hoping that the Super Eagles would use any possible means to qualify for the World Cup but they should understand that we missed that opportunity when would lost to Congo and Fifa won't pardon the Super Eagles cause of Dr Congo's case nor Iran. We're not even in same continent with Iran so it's true that they'll give that opportunity to a country in their continent and not Nigeria, Super Eagles should try again next time and Nigerians hoping that they're picked should give up and pick a country to support.

[Marykeller]

The Iranian sports minister has canceled Iran's men's team from participating in the men's football World Cup co-hosted by the US this summer. Considering the incident that took place regarding the family team in Australia a few days ago, he has prioritized the safety of the citizens first over all sports.

I am eager to know if another team will replace Iran, and perhaps Nigeria can stand a chance to participate in the playoffs. What's your take on this?

I already knew that Iran will not participate in that World Cup because of the issue they are having with the United States of America, and for the fact that the United States of America are the ones hosting the World Cup they will not participate, I will never blame them for not participating because what is happening right now is something related to war between them and the United States so they need to protect the citizens.

I don’t think Nigeria will have an opportunity to replace Iran, I don’t like this hope we are always bringing up for Nigeria let stop hoping.

Not only for us to stop hoping. Why must it be our Nigerian team in the first place? Is there any link between Nigeria and Iran? If Iran were to be replaced by FIFA, FIFA would like to choose one of the Arab nations that didn't qualify for the World Cup to replace Iran, as simple as that. Not to go all the way to Africa to pick Nigeria as the potential country to replace Iran in the World Cup. That doesn't connect in any form because both does belong in the same continent.

The reason I gave above, is what FIFA ought to think and analyze before they choose a country to replace Iran in the World Cup

[Kelward]

The teams to participate in Africa are completed so there is no need for Nigeria Super Eagles to replace a team in another continent. There are teams like Nigeria position in the world cup in Asia and those teams will take the position of Iran. So we should not think of Nigeria going to that far. Agbamoni please can you drop the link to the news?

Some Nigerians are seriously hoping that the Super Eagles would use any possible means to qualify for the World Cup but they should understand that we missed that opportunity when would lost to Congo and Fifa won't pardon the Super Eagles cause of Dr Congo's case nor Iran. We're not even in same continent with Iran so it's true that they'll give that opportunity to a country in their continent and not Nigeria, Super Eagles should try again next time and Nigerians hoping that they're picked should give up and pick a country to support.

It is official that Iran, will not participate in the world cup due to their war with America, so I don't see how the news concerns Nigeria, and the super eagles. When FIFA wants to replace Iran in the world cup it is logical that they will look at the best loser or losers in the Asian continent, teams of countries that played with Iran in their qualifiers. If a qualified team steps down in the African continent that is when Nigerian super eagles will stand a chance to replace them so Nigerians should move on from the dream of seeing the super eagles play in the world cup.

[Zackz5000]

The Iranian sports minister has canceled Iran's men's team from participating in the men's football World Cup co-hosted by the US this summer. Considering the incident that took place regarding the family team in Australia a few days ago, he has prioritized the safety of the citizens first over all sports.

I am eager to know if another team will replace Iran, and perhaps Nigeria can stand a chance to participate in the playoffs. What's your take on this?

It is sad after Iran managed to qualify for the world cup they will not participate in the world cup, but i am not surprised about the news because it was obvious that Iran might not travel to United States for the world cup since Iran and United States are at war now. When my friend told me the news of Iran withdrawing from the world cup, i told him that Nigeria will take the place of Iran in the world cup but he said no that it is Iraq that will take the place of Iran in the world cup.

I had this news today and it's very bad to see that a team that has struggled to qualify for world cup won't be participating again due to the war between them Iran and USA, this is one disadvantage of war i believe before the world FIFA will found a replacement for Iran in the world cup though i don't know yet which country it will be but i believe that it's going to be a country from the Asian Football Confederation.

[Fivestar4everMVP]

The teams to participate in Africa are completed so there is no need for Nigeria Super Eagles to replace a team in another continent. There are teams like Nigeria position in the world cup in Asia and those teams will take the position of Iran. So we should not think of Nigeria going to that far. Agbamoni please can you drop the link to the news?

Some Nigerians are seriously hoping that the Super Eagles would use any possible means to qualify for the World Cup but they should understand that we missed that opportunity when would lost to Congo and Fifa won't pardon the Super Eagles cause of Dr Congo's case nor Iran. We're not even in same continent with Iran so it's true that they'll give that opportunity to a country in their continent and not Nigeria, Super Eagles should try again next time and Nigerians hoping that they're picked should give up and pick a country to support.

It is official that Iran, will not participate in the world cup due to their war with America, so I don't see how the news concerns Nigeria, and the super eagles. When FIFA wants to replace Iran in the world cup it is logical that they will look at the best loser or losers in the Asian continent, teams of countries that played with Iran in their qualifiers. If a qualified team steps down in the African continent that is when Nigerian super eagles will stand a chance to replace them so Nigerians should move on from the dream of seeing the super eagles play in the world cup.

Which countries are hosting the coming world cup? First, I think it's said that three different countries will be hosting the world cup and they are Mexico, Canada and the US?

If Iran as a country that already qualified for the world cup will not be able to be in the world cup due to their ongoing war with USA and Israel, what happens to US? If Iran is disqualified from participating in the world cup, I think the same judgement should be passed to USA too, they should be disqualified from not just participating in the world cup, but also from hosting the world cup, because I feel allowing this could be putting hundreds of thousanda of lives (if not millions) at risk..

Not very sure if I am correct but do correct me incase I am wrong, I've not been really following any discussions concerning the world cup of late, so I am not current with the latest information.

[Charles-Tim]

Which countries are hosting the coming world cup? First, I think it's said that three different countries will be hosting the world cup and they are Mexico, Canada and the US?

Yes, those are the hosting countries.

If Iran as a country that already qualified for the world cup will not be able to be in the world cup due to their ongoing war with USA and Israel, what happens to US? If Iran is disqualified from participating in the world cup, I think the same judgement should be passed to USA too, they should be disqualified from not just participating in the world cup, but also from hosting the world cup, because I feel allowing this could be putting hundreds of thousanda of lives (if not millions) at risk..

How is United States will put hundreds of thousands of lives in danger? The war is not beyond the West Asia. Iran is not also capable of hitting the United States directly from their country. Only few countries like Russia and China have that airstrike capability with likely chance the United States and ally countries air defense may not be able to intercept...

[SatoPrincess]

The Iranian sports minister has canceled Iran's men's team from participating in the men's football World Cup co-hosted by the US this summer. Considering the incident that took place regarding the family team in Australia a few days ago, he has prioritized the safety of the citizens first over all sports.

That’s a shame. I suspected this war would have an effect on the World Cup participation especially as USA is one of the host countries. Football used to be a unifying force that connects the world together but in recent years the sport has had little or no impact in world peace.

I am eager to know if another team will replace Iran, and perhaps Nigeria can stand a chance to participate in the playoffs. What's your take on this?

 That’s funny. We are not even from the same continent. How do you think that would happen?

[Callido]

I had this news today and it's very bad to see that a team that has struggled to qualify for world cup won't be participating again due to the war between them Iran and USA, this is one disadvantage of war i believe before the world FIFA will found a replacement for Iran in the world cup though i don't know yet which country it will be but i believe that it's going to be a country from the Asian Football Confederation.

This is the best thing to do, withdrawing from participating in the World Cup saves them lots of trouble, I'm sure there are crazy US supporters that would storm the pitch whenever Iran are playing their own fixtures, who knows the worse tragedy might happen, also how will the US accommodate them meanwhile both countries are involved in nuclear war. Untill peace is restored, Iran won't be participating in the World Cup.

[Fivestar4everMVP]

If Iran as a country that already qualified for the world cup will not be able to be in the world cup due to their ongoing war with USA and Israel, what happens to US? If Iran is disqualified from participating in the world cup, I think the same judgement should be passed to USA too, they should be disqualified from not just participating in the world cup, but also from hosting the world cup, because I feel allowing this could be putting hundreds of thousanda of lives (if not millions) at risk..

How is United States will put hundreds of thousands of lives in danger? The war is not beyond the West Asia. Iran is not also capable of hitting the United States directly from their country. Only few countries like Russia and China have that airstrike capability with likely chance the United States and ally countries air defense may not be able to intercept...

Wow, thanks very much bud, sincerely appreciate your response, i admit I don't know very much about bombs, missiles, airstrikes and whatnot or how they work, I saw this same thing you said on X but didn't believe it, that Iran is not capable of hitting the US directly, in as much as it still amazing to me how this came to be, I think I have to believe it now that you are the second person who said this exact same thing, and for the fact that since the war began, I've not read or heard it anywhere in the news that Iran hit any part of USA, so it's actually true..

This was my concern and it's the reason I made that comment, I thought iran could hit US, And they might just be waiting for the world cup to come alive so they could simply target the stadium where thousands of persons must have gathered to watch the match to hit a bomb, this would be catastrophic..
Forgive my ignorance 😁

[Accardo]

This is the best thing to do, withdrawing from participating in the World Cup saves them lots of trouble, I'm sure there are crazy US supporters that would storm the pitch whenever Iran are playing their own fixtures, who knows the worse tragedy might happen, also how will the US accommodate them meanwhile both countries are involved in nuclear war. Untill peace is restored, Iran won't be participating in the World Cup.

The Iranian Government feel like they're been treated very badly by the current US regime, and wouldn't risk going to their land for the world cup to avoid further chaos and conflicts. I see it as a nice move, the world cup is a peaceful event and, for the best interest of everyone, shouldn't be infested by two waring nations. It's quite sad to see what is going on in Iran, but it seems like FIFA has nothing to do to change the situation or convince both parties to accommodate one another in the world cup and restore peace.

[Odusko]

I have heard about this information in local news outlets but I don't know how much truth it hold because this days news outlets can deliberately sell out fake and unconfirmed informations just to get traffic to their site. Such is the tendencies some of these new generation news outlets are exhibiting and the authorities needs to sanction them for these fake news. Nigeria as I understand lost their ticket in the WC qualifiers and that's the fact that they won't be participating in this year WC tournament again.

Many of the news outlets like writing controversial news to create engagement on their platform which is something they are doing to make money and survive the harsh economy by the current administration that have promised us to see shege in all aspects and endeavors. I will not bame these news outlets that like sharing fake news and because there is no law that has been established to bring them to book when they publish fake news without a real source.

Content monetisation has pushed a lot of fake news and content to the news frontline most especially those on social media where blogs and articles are written and monetised, to gain traffic to their site the make up news just to get attention gain views and likes.

[Mr Reporter]

The Iranian sports minister has canceled Iran's men's team from participating in the men's football World Cup co-hosted by the US this summer. Considering the incident that took place regarding the family team in Australia a few days ago, he has prioritized the safety of the citizens first over all sports.

I am eager to know if another team will replace Iran, and perhaps Nigeria can stand a chance to participate in the playoffs. What's your take on this?

I already knew that Iran will not participate in that World Cup because of the issue they are having with the United States of America, and for the fact that the United States of America are the ones hosting the World Cup they will not participate, I will never blame them for not participating because what is happening right now is something related to war between them and the United States so they need to protect the citizens.

I don’t think Nigeria will have an opportunity to replace Iran, I don’t like this hope we are always bringing up for Nigeria let stop hoping.

Well as for me it really a sad thing for them i feel their pains right now well their decision not play in the 2026 World Cup is can not understandable at all i was thinking that this war could happen and get to the end that they even have to withdraw from the 2026 World Cup…

Well from clear source I heard that it would be unlikely to see Nigeria do replace them… I through it has been stated that the FIFA rules and regulations state that any team that withdrew before 30 days of the first match avoid fines, and the replacement would be hard for now but I heard they are still under investigation to see so I guess will all should awaits their decision which is finally soon..