Countdown to World Cup 2026

Current FIFA World Cup Status

FIFA Ranking

1585.09 points (April 2026)

2026 Qualification

Qualified via CAF

World Cup Appearances

Including 2026

All-Time World Cup Record

Matches Played

Wins

Draws

Losses

Goals For

Goals Against

Match Results Distribution

World Cup Appearances History

1994 USA

Result: Round of 16

Record: 2W-0D-1L | Goals: 6-2

Best World Cup debut, defeated Bulgaria, Greece; lost to Italy in Round of 16

1998 France

Result: Round of 16

Record: 1W-2D-1L | Goals: 5-5

Topped group ahead of Spain and Paraguay; lost to Denmark in Round of 16

2002 Japan/Korea

Result: Group Stage

Record: 0W-1D-2L | Goals: 1-3

Eliminated in group stage despite strong squad expectations

2010 South Africa

Result: Group Stage

Record: 1W-0D-2L | Goals: 3-5

Only victory came against Korea Republic; eliminated in group

2014 Brazil

Result: Round of 16

Record: 1W-1D-2L | Goals: 3-5

Advanced from group; lost to France 2-0 in Round of 16

2018 Russia

Result: Group Stage

Record: 1W-0D-2L | Goals: 3-4

Narrowly missed Round of 16 on fair play tiebreaker to Senegal

Top World Cup Scorers

Goals by Tournament

Records & Milestones

Best World Cup Performance

Round of 16 (1994, 1998, 2014)

Most World Cup Goals (Player)

Ahmed Musa - 4 goals

Most World Cup Appearances (Player)

Vincent Enyeama - 10 matches

Youngest World Cup Scorer

Emmanuel Amunike - 23 years (1994)

First World Cup Goal

Rashidi Yekini vs Bulgaria, June 21, 1994

Biggest World Cup Victory

3-0 vs Bulgaria (1994)

Most Recent World Cup Goal

Victor Moses vs Iceland, June 22, 2018

Consecutive World Cup Streak

3 tournaments (1994-2002)

Head-to-Head vs Major Opponents (World Cup)

vs Argentina

Record: 0W-1D-2L | Goals: 3-6

Last meeting: 2-1 loss (2018)

vs France

Record: 0W-0D-1L | Goals: 0-2

Last meeting: 0-2 loss (2014)

vs Italy

Record: 0W-0D-1L | Goals: 1-2

Last meeting: 1-2 loss (1994)

vs Denmark

Record: 0W-0D-1L | Goals: 1-4

Last meeting: 1-4 loss (1998)

vs Croatia

Record: 0W-1D-1L | Goals: 0-2

Last meeting: 0-2 loss (2018)

vs Iceland

Record: 1W-0D-0L | Goals: 2-0

Last meeting: 2-0 win (2018)

Recent Major Tournament Performance

2021 AFCON (Cameroon)

Result: Round of 16

Lost 1-0 to Tunisia; disappointing exit for pre-tournament favorites

2019 AFCON (Egypt)

Result: Third Place

Won bronze medal match 1-0 vs Tunisia; lost semifinal to Algeria

2018 World Cup (Russia)

Result: Group Stage

Missed Round of 16 on fair play rule despite same points as Senegal

2017 AFCON (Gabon)

Result: Group Stage

Failed to advance from group stage in disappointing campaign

Tournament Success Rate (Last 10 Years)

Frequently Asked Questions

When did Nigeria first qualify for the World Cup?

Nigeria first qualified for the FIFA World Cup in 1994 in the United States, making an impressive debut by reaching the Round of 16 and defeating Bulgaria 3-0, drawing with Italy 1-1, and beating Greece 2-0 in the group stage.

What is Nigeria's best World Cup performance?

Nigeria's best World Cup performances came in 1994, 1998, and 2014 when they reached the Round of 16. Their 1994 debut is often considered their most memorable, with an exciting brand of football that captured global attention.

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