Nigeria, Dec. 18 -- Nigeria's failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup is more than a sporting setback.

It is a major financial blow, one that could cost the Super Eagles and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) billions of naira in direct prize money, bonuses, and indirect commercial value.

For the second consecutive time since featuring at 2018 World Cup in Russia, Nigeria will again be absent from football's biggest stage.

The expanded 48-team tournament, to be hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, promised unprecedented financial rewards.

Instead, Nigeria will watch from afar as other nations cash in.

The Super Eagles' road to the World Cup ended in November after a tense penalty shoot-out defeat to DR Congo in M...