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

[Ronsbit]

There is no embarrassment there, as I see nothing of such if the Eagles decide to contest their eligibility in a way to gain access to the World Cup tournament. Look, every team would like to do so upon discovering any lapses of their opponent so they could floor them and take over their opportunity to go for the World Cup, so what the Eagles did is nothing bad, and it's nothing new as well. The only thing I can say is that the approach to the qualifiers was very poor on the side of the Eagles, but during the AFCON, we saw their performances, and we could attest that they really improved and are worth it if they succeed in the argument for the World Cup eligibility at FIFA.

A strong legal basis is no minor issue provided there is the dream to compete on the world level. We are to think of the attempts to seek loopholes in our competitors as similar to the competition strategies in any sports profession. Our performance was not good in the beginning, but the latest quality increase made us extremely optimistic that we have a right to be there. The dogged determination to take recourse to administrative justice makes sure that all chances to make a golden drop to bring glory to the country are not wasted.

We pray they succeed in their course of argument since they have facts to back up their point, and I know it was a well-thought-out plan before they proceeded with the argument, and that is a strong accusation against their opponent. So far, the NFF has been very vocal about the outcome of the argument and encouraging Nigerians not to worry about it because they know their stand on the matter, so I would not be surprised to see the outcome of the argument in their favour.

[Mr Reporter]

Lol 😆 there is always the first time to everything, I mean I have seen countless times when people say on live television that this wasn't supposed to be this and that wasn't supposed to be this but yet all of them still got the shit done anyways so I won't be surprised if anything contrary to what we have seen or in the law books happen besides it's Donald Trump, the man is the most unstable president I have seen for a long time.

Nopes! Trump wouldn't do anything to the footballers but the Iran players wouldn't feel comfortable and play with happiness in order to bring out their best performance because their families ain't safe and they're playing on the soil of their enemies. Do you know how that feels. It's good that they don't go for their own safety.

See there like a member had said earlier there is always a chance of first time here when something like can happened.,,well do to understand that even Trump could go beyond his words too because he is not God and I just want you to still understand that the Iran guys might get lucky not to be killed and might get lucky to be killed…anything can still happen well on a other hands even though the footballer are just there to play competition…I really need want you to see it from my own perspective too.

[Roseline492]

See there like a member had said earlier there is always a chance of first time here when something like can happened.,,well do to understand that even Trump could go beyond his words too because he is not God and I just want you to still understand that the Iran guys might get lucky not to be killed and might get lucky to be killed…anything can still happen well on a other hands even though the footballer are just there to play competition…I really need want you to see it from my own perspective too.

No matter the Rascality you may feel on Donald Trump, is not all the action he could take because there is what he would do, the world is going to use it against him because players are harmless and they're not people to say they might use because of the war and do any negative things in United States, however since you feel Donald Trump would do something if they actually go, let's use you for instance are you going to do the same on the innocent players that didn't meant bad to you?, although I had some bad feeling when they said Donald Trump doesn't want them to come but in other words the citizens who might not welcome them could be the reason.

[Mayor of ogba]

I still don't know how credible this information is and till now I still haven't found out that Trump made this statement or maybe I'm just being lazy on searching for it but to be fair, with the level of how things are currently and the rate at which the war is going, if I'm in charge of Iran, I would withdraw from the tournament itself unless if everything concerning the war dies down months to the world cup. We have nearly 3 months to the start of the competition and we all hope that they stop the war for the sake of peace. Not all countries are involved in the war but I say that it's affecting all of us economically wether we like it or not and it's even affecting the 2nd and the 3rd world countries even more. We here in Africa are also feeling it in our various economies. Israel, USA and Iran should let leave lead let's all go through our normal daily lives, that's all we want.

I also don't think this news is authentic, or it is after declaration of Iran saying they won't be coming for the World Cup that Trump made the statement. Why will Trump threaten fans and players coming to watch and play football, what is he doing to the Iranians already residing in the US, are they not safe anymore? Football is a different federation and should be treated differently than political madness.

I don't think this news is authentic or true either, because I am just finding it difficult to believe Donald J. Trump, who is fighting for the betterment of Iranians could threaten the same people he's fighting for. Social media influencers can post anything just to generate engagement on their pages, so I will check Donald J. Trump page on X to know if he actually threatened Iranians.

[Fivestar4everMVP]

See there like a member had said earlier there is always a chance of first time here when something like can happened.,,well do to understand that even Trump could go beyond his words too because he is not God and I just want you to still understand that the Iran guys might get lucky not to be killed and might get lucky to be killed…anything can still happen well on a other hands even though the footballer are just there to play competition…I really need want you to see it from my own perspective too.

No matter the Rascality you may feel on Donald Trump, is not all the action he could take because there is what he would do, the world is going to use it against him because players are harmless and they're not people to say they might use because of the war and do any negative things in United States, however since you feel Donald Trump would do something if they actually go, let's use you for instance are you going to do the same on the innocent players that didn't meant bad to you?, although I had some bad feeling when they said Donald Trump doesn't want them to come but in other words the citizens who might not welcome them could be the reason.

Don't misunderstand my comment for supporting the US or any country in particular in the ongoing war but I think what the US president did by ordering the player from Iran not to come to the US is simply one of the unfortunate effects of war, you think about it, players are humans too with feelings, you saying that players are harmless is absolutely a lie, nothing differenciates a player from an ordinary person out there like me and you, players can choose to be harmful to other players if they see a need to, and for the safety of both the iran football team and the US players, it's best that this two team does not meet on the same pitch.

And aside this, it makes no sense to me that the US government and Iran government are fighting a war and Iran football ball will travel to the same US for the worldcup, who does that? There is no way some US citizens won't be angry when they see the Iranians in their soil especially when they appear to play on the pitch.

[IceLincoln]

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.

It's true withdrawing from the world cup is the best thing any country in the position of Iran will do because it's just like you going to submit your self to your enemies. It would have been different case if the world cup tournament is to be play in another country but not in America, USA also would have also withdraw from the World Cup if it's to be played in Iran but did you think Iran will accept again if the war ends today i don't think so.

This matter shouldn’t even be an issue or a topic of discussion in this thread as it has no relevance or impacts… it’s just very poor rumour of people assuming Nigeria will replace Iran, when there is absolutely no relationship between the two.
From failing to qualify to wanting to represent Africa in the continental Qualifications, also failing in that and now how can someone think we’ll cross continental borders to replace a team from Asia.
Iran is right to withdraw, it’s an unsafe space for her citizens.

[IceLincoln]

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.

It's true withdrawing from the world cup is the best thing any country in the position of Iran will do because it's just like you going to submit your self to your enemies. It would have been different case if the world cup tournament is to be play in another country but not in America, USA also would have also withdraw from the World Cup if it's to be played in Iran but did you think Iran will accept again if the war ends today i don't think so.

This matter shouldn’t even be an issue or a topic of discussion in this thread as it has no relevance or impacts… it’s just very poor rumour of people assuming Nigeria will replace Iran, when there is absolutely no relationship between the two.
From failing to qualify to wanting to represent Africa in the continental Qualifications, also failing in that and now how can someone think we’ll cross continental borders to replace a team from Asia.
Iran is right to withdraw, it’s an unsafe space for her citizens.

[Wakate]

I don't think this news is authentic or true either, because I am just finding it difficult to believe Donald J. Trump, who is fighting for the betterment of Iranians could threaten the same people he's fighting for. Social media influencers can post anything just to generate engagement on their pages, so I will check Donald J. Trump page on X to know if he actually threatened Iranians.

There are so many fake news online especially the one that people are saying that the Israeli prime miniser is dead when nothing actually happened to him. The fake news dominated everywhere on the internet so many influencers used this news to enrich themselves creating different videos to claim that the prime minister is dead.

[Roseline492]

See there like a member had said earlier there is always a chance of first time here when something like can happened.,,well do to understand that even Trump could go beyond his words too because he is not God and I just want you to still understand that the Iran guys might get lucky not to be killed and might get lucky to be killed…anything can still happen well on a other hands even though the footballer are just there to play competition…I really need want you to see it from my own perspective too.

No matter the Rascality you may feel on Donald Trump, is not all the action he could take because there is what he would do, the world is going to use it against him because players are harmless and they're not people to say they might use because of the war and do any negative things in United States, however since you feel Donald Trump would do something if they actually go, let's use you for instance are you going to do the same on the innocent players that didn't meant bad to you?, although I had some bad feeling when they said Donald Trump doesn't want them to come but in other words the citizens who might not welcome them could be the reason.

Don't misunderstand my comment for supporting the US or any country in particular in the ongoing war but I think what the US president did by ordering the player from Iran not to come to the US is simply one of the unfortunate effects of war, you think about it, players are humans too with feelings, you saying that players are harmless is absolutely a lie, nothing differenciates a player from an ordinary person out there like me and you, players can choose to be harmful to other players if they see a need to, and for the safety of both the iran football team and the US players, it's best that this two team does not meet on the same pitch.

I didn't misunderstood you, you can check the name I quoted it wasn't you, I was only pointing out and suggesting why some of the things @Reporter said might not happen at all, so actually I didn't say you were taking side in one country, on the contrary I was able to read your comments earlier before mine and I no that what you were saying didn't relate to supporting anybody but only neutral Statment. Meanwhile the harmless I mean regarding the players are not that they don't usually get aggressive against opponents in the field but however the point is about being harmless on the fact that the country is having a war against there country.

[Mr Reporter]

See there like a member had said earlier there is always a chance of first time here when something like can happened.,,well do to understand that even Trump could go beyond his words too because he is not God and I just want you to still understand that the Iran guys might get lucky not to be killed and might get lucky to be killed…anything can still happen well on a other hands even though the footballer are just there to play competition…I really need want you to see it from my own perspective too.

No matter the Rascality you may feel on Donald Trump, is not all the action he could take because there is what he would do, the world is going to use it against him because players are harmless and they're not people to say they might use because of the war and do any negative things in United States, however since you feel Donald Trump would do something if they actually go, let's use you for instance are you going to do the same on the innocent players that didn't meant bad to you?, although I had some bad feeling when they said Donald Trump doesn't want them to come but in other words the citizens who might not welcome them could be the reason.

There is something I just want you to know and understand here right that this just a war and no worlds are going to blame him or anyone for their actions here get that correct guy…at first the Iran understands that there are not in good faith with this country so why go there at the first place at this same time the USA are very smart people too they might even think their just spies been sent by their government to come and monitor their military base and facilities in which to be the next target you think the US do not know what they did. Maybe you might just think the Iran guys are just low-key people, but at the same time trying to take advantage of the opportunity here all in the name of football….

[Davidvictorson]

There is something I just want you to know and understand here right that this just a war and no worlds are going to blame him or anyone for their actions here get that correct guy…at first the Iran understands that there are not in good faith with this country so why go there at the first place at this same time the USA are very smart people too they might even think their just spies been sent by their government to come and monitor their military base and facilities in which to be the next target you think the US do not know what they did. Maybe you might just think the Iran guys are just low-key people, but at the same time trying to take advantage of the opportunity here all in the name of football….

Well, we would soon know how FIFA and the host countries would react to this. We can debate all we want here but in the end, it’s FIFA that’s going to make the final decision. I just wish peace on all parts of the globe. Football is game that unites rather than divides especially the World Cup. I hope this is over soon.

[Ronsbit]

I don't think this news is authentic or true either, because I am just finding it difficult to believe Donald J. Trump, who is fighting for the betterment of Iranians could threaten the same people he's fighting for. Social media influencers can post anything just to generate engagement on their pages, so I will check Donald J. Trump page on X to know if he actually threatened Iranians.

There are so many fake news online especially the one that people are saying that the Israeli prime miniser is dead when nothing actually happened to him. The fake news dominated everywhere on the internet so many influencers used this news to enrich themselves creating different videos to claim that the prime minister is dead.

Well, the truth is that fake news flies faster than the real news, and influencers/bloggers know this, so they just capitalize on it without doing their due diligence because they know that is what the masses want to hear, and the traffic they get from such rumors sells faster for them hence they are always quick to disseminate wrong information about situations without a proper investigation. I just quickly unfollow such bloggers and influencers if I see them spreading hoaxes.

[Fiatless]

The Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, has confirmed that FIFA has rejected their petition against the Democratic Republic of Congo.

This was confirmed by the NFF General Secretary, Mohammed Sanusi, on Tuesday.

Sanusi, however, insisted they were not satisfied with the verdict and will begin the process of appealing it.

https://dailypost.ng/2026/03/17/2026-world-cup-fifa-officially-rejects-super-eagles-petition-against-dr-congo/

Would this be the end of the road for Nigeria's dream of featuring in the World Cup? The Nigerian Football Federation believes it is not the end of the road. They believe they have valid evidence that will result in a favorable judgment. So they are moving to the next stage of appealing the verdict.

I don't think anything good will come out of this appeal after the verdict by the FIFA Disciplinary Committee. Let's start preparing early for the next competition.

[Marykeller]

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.

It's true withdrawing from the world cup is the best thing any country in the position of Iran will do because it's just like you going to submit your self to your enemies. It would have been different case if the world cup tournament is to be play in another country but not in America, USA also would have also withdraw from the World Cup if it's to be played in Iran but did you think Iran will accept again if the war ends today i don't think so.

A person whose house is on fire doesn't go about chasing rats. That's the case of Iran. Their territory is on fire, caused by those who are to host the World Cup. They won't like to be in the situation of smiling through the World Cup when there's no peace and harmony in their land. It will be an error if they should come to the World Cup just to get the world entertained and their land is in destruction.

So, it will be worthwhile to give their citizens that respect of loss lives and properties, to totally reject the World Cup. The lives of their citizens are far valuable than the World Cup

[Donneski]

The Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, has confirmed that FIFA has rejected their petition against the Democratic Republic of Congo.

This was confirmed by the NFF General Secretary, Mohammed Sanusi, on Tuesday.

Sanusi, however, insisted they were not satisfied with the verdict and will begin the process of appealing it.

https://dailypost.ng/2026/03/17/2026-world-cup-fifa-officially-rejects-super-eagles-petition-against-dr-congo/

Would this be the end of the road for Nigeria's dream of featuring in the World Cup? The Nigerian Football Federation believes it is not the end of the road. They believe they have valid evidence that will result in a favorable judgment. So they are moving to the next stage of appealing the verdict.

I don't think anything good will come out of this appeal after the verdict by the FIFA Disciplinary Committee. Let's start preparing early for the next competition.

Since they were eliminated from the qualifying serious by DR Congo, I know they never stood any chances of playing in this summer's FIFA World Cup. All these appeals and moves to come through the backdoor I know is very unlikely to work. I honestly would've loved to see them play but at the moment, Congo deserves to qualify more than the Nigeria team as they showed more commitment. If NFF had put this same level of energy in filing for appeals, I don't think we would've been here now. They should better have better preparation for the next edition or still wait for backdoor routes that's not gonna happen.

[snipie]

Well, we would soon know how FIFA and the host countries would react to this. We can debate all we want here but in the end, it’s FIFA that’s going to make the final decision. I just wish peace on all parts of the globe. Football is game that unites rather than divides especially the World Cup. I hope this is over soon.

FIFA president and FIFA as an organisation is totally obeying what the US president says without being ashamed of the humiliation done to the football body. They will not hesitate to kick Iran from the competition if they were asked to do and they will not hesitate to impose heavy sanctions on them if they withdrew from the competition.
We are in the dark ages of the 21th century for good. They are no more reasonable persons, people are living in a theater where many are showing off, politicians, influencers like described in the post above.

[Mr Reporter]

There is something I just want you to know and understand here right that this just a war and no worlds are going to blame him or anyone for their actions here get that correct guy…at first the Iran understands that there are not in good faith with this country so why go there at the first place at this same time the USA are very smart people too they might even think their just spies been sent by their government to come and monitor their military base and facilities in which to be the next target you think the US do not know what they did. Maybe you might just think the Iran guys are just low-key people, but at the same time trying to take advantage of the opportunity here all in the name of football….

Well, we would soon know how FIFA and the host countries would react to this. We can debate all we want here but in the end, it’s FIFA that’s going to make the final decision. I just wish peace on all parts of the globe. Football is game that unites rather than divides especially the World Cup. I hope this is over soon.

Mate honestly speaking I think I feel your frustration right about all this that is happening but the reality of life it that wat is meant to happen no matter what…well just as you have made mention still waiting for the final decision of what the FIFA decided…

And it really just too sad to see football having to be mixed up with all this nonsense war im the past I have never witnessed such things before since the great time of great successful players honestly speaking I wish we could really changed the hand of time to be a pacemaker between this two great countries and it really amazing to see country men guys player to just get to that first stage..

[Finebone]

Well, we would soon know how FIFA and the host countries would react to this. We can debate all we want here but in the end, it’s FIFA that’s going to make the final decision. I just wish peace on all parts of the globe. Football is game that unites rather than divides especially the World Cup. I hope this is over soon.

FIFA president and FIFA as an organisation is totally obeying what the US president says without being ashamed of the humiliation done to the football body. They will not hesitate to kick Iran from the competition if they were asked to do and they will not hesitate to impose heavy sanctions on them if they withdrew from the competition.
We are in the dark ages of the 21th century for good. They are no more reasonable persons, people are living in a theater where many are showing off, politicians, influencers like described in the post above.

This is what you get when politics are involved in football, because this thing is what I think is very simple to address, and I see no reason Iran national team should be withdrewing if their matches are moved to either Canada or Mexico.
Though I don't see them going past the quarter finals stage, but if they eventually do, they should still be managed till they crashed out at the quarter finals or the Semi finals, but it would be very bad if they are sanctioned because they decided to pull out, because I think that their is more to life than just football.

[DiMarxist]

We should leave the U.S out of the decision of Iran to pull out of the world cup, situations beyond their control made them to take this present decision. I ran was willing to participate in the world cup that is why they invested their time resources and strength in playing the Qualifiers. But going by this present situation that Iran finds itself it's only wise that they stay away from the competition this is because, Iran is been attacked directly by the united states the same country that the world cup is going to be taking place. I don't expect FIFA to place any sanctions on Iran in this case because this situation is perculier in nature and is not delebrate in the part of Iran.

[abaeze]

I don't think this news is authentic or true either, because I am just finding it difficult to believe Donald J. Trump, who is fighting for the betterment of Iranians could threaten the same people he's fighting for. Social media influencers can post anything just to generate engagement on their pages, so I will check Donald J. Trump page on X to know if he actually threatened Iranians.

There are so many fake news online especially the one that people are saying that the Israeli prime miniser is dead when nothing actually happened to him. The fake news dominated everywhere on the internet so many influencers used this news to enrich themselves creating different videos to claim that the prime minister is dead.

Well, the truth is that fake news flies faster than the real news, and influencers/bloggers know this, so they just capitalize on it without doing their due diligence because they know that is what the masses want to hear, and the traffic they get from such rumors sells faster for them hebce they are always quick to disseminate wrong information about situations without a proper investigation. I just quickly unfollow such bloggers and influencers if I see them spreading hoaxes.

You are absolutely right that people often share content without verifying whether it’s true or false, just to increase views. However, I don’t think there’s any need to prove whether the claim that Donald J. Trump is fighting for the welfare of Iranians is true or false. The reason is simple, it’s like believing that a lion in Africa genuinely cares about the well being of a deer. In the same way, the idea of Trump fighting for Iranians can be seen as equally questionable.

Anyway, I believe that spreading such misinformation without verification is a kind of crime. There are many rumors circulating on the internet, so we should not believe everything easily. If you want to successfully avoid misinformation in the future, the most important thing is not to trust any news immediately. Always check official sources such as X  or verified websites. Those who follow this practice are much less likely to fall into the trap of rumors.