LAGOS/ABUJA: Nigeria narrowly avoided being kicked out of international soccer on Monday when it recognized the FIFA-approved head of its national federation, minutes before a ban for its failure to do so was due to take effect.
The sport’s global body had said that, in response to state meddling in the running of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), it would suspend the country from international matches at 1100 GMT, thereby excluding the side from next month’s African Nations Cup qualifiers.
FIFA said it had received confirmation that its recognized leadership team under Amaju Pinnick had been “given back effective control of the NFF and its offices.”
“The suspension of the NFF will not take effect,” it said in a statement more than three hours after the deadline passed.
Pinnick, elected NFF head in 2014, was in a stand-off with Chris Giwa, who had appealed against the election result and, after a protracted legal battle, won a favorable high court ruling in June.
Giwa was handed a five-year ban by FIFA for breaches of NFF statutes and the FIFA code of ethics in February 2017.
In a tweet posted at 1038 GMT, a spokesman for Vice President Yemi Osinbajo said Nigeria had “already conveyed to FIFA its firm position recognizing Amaju Pinnick-led NFF as the current & only NFF Exco (executive committee).”
The government would work with all stakeholders “to resolve (the) dispute in a timely manner,” he added.
Giwa previously appeared to have the backing of the government. He was included by Sports Minister Solomon Dalung on a proposed list of delegates to meet FIFA president Gianni Infantino in Zurich last week – an approach that FIFA rejected.
FIFA, which does not accept third party involvement in its member federations, and had given Nigeria a final warning on 14 Aug to ratify Pinnick’s leadership.
In its statement, FIFA said it “will continue to closely monitor the situation in order to ensure that FIFA’s rules and regulations are fully adhered to.”
Nigeria are due to play a qualifier for the 2019 African Nations Cup in the Seychelles on Sept. 8.
With just minutes left, Nigeria avoids international soccer ban
With just minutes left, Nigeria avoids international soccer ban
National team representation framework introduced for Esports Nations Cup 2026
- Within their respective countries, partners will have the responsibility of building, representing their national esports teams on global stage
- Esports World Cup Foundation to establish ENC Development Fund to support long-term growth of nation-based ecosystems
RIYADH: The Esports World Cup Foundation has introduced the national team representation framework for the Esports Nations Cup 2026 — the global nation-based esports competition set to debut in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in November — by opening the application process for official National Team Partners.
The Esports Nations Cup introduces national team representation to the global esports calendar in a structured, recurring format. It complements the club-based Esports World Cup by enabling players to compete under their national flag and offering fans an opportunity to connect with elite esports through national identity.
National Team Partners will serve as the official national counterparts for the ENC 2026, within their respective countries and territories, with the responsibility of building and representing their national esports teams on the global stage. In partnership with the EWCF, they will coordinate team representation for the ENC, oversee and support national team coaches per game title, and coordinate with game partners and clubs within the ENC framework.
Beyond competition, National Team Partners will shape their national team identity through marketing, communications, and community engagement, and collaborate with creators, media, and public institutions to mobilize their local communities to build national fandom for their teams.
While National Team Partners are responsible for the organization and representation of national teams, the competitive integrity and player eligibility remain governed by ENC rules and game partner-aligned processes.
Each selected national team partner will nominate a national team manager who will serve as the public lead and primary representative of the national team. They will act as the primary contact between the EWCF and the local ecosystem team, supporting coordination, representation and activation at the country and territory level, and are formally confirmed by the EWCF.
To support the long-term growth of nation-based esports, the EWCF will establish the ENC Development Fund, committing at least $20 million annually, beginning with ENC 2026. The fund will support national team programs by covering travel and logistics for participation in the Esports Nations Cup, and by enabling promotional and fan-facing activities that build relevance, awareness, and engagement around national teams beyond the main competition, supported by the commercial, marketing, and operational capabilities required to deliver these activities consistently over time.
This includes support for training camps and boot camps with structured fan access, exhibition matches and showcase events, official watch parties, national team tours, and appearances at major gaming and sports events.
Further details on scope, eligibility, and implementation will be shared with selected National Team Partners as part of the onboarding process.
Ralf Reichert, CEO of the Esports World Cup Foundation, said: “The purpose of the Esports World Cup Foundation is to elevate esports and make it sustainable.
“The Esports Nations Cup is a natural next step in that journey. By opening this application process, we are inviting trusted National Team Partners to help define the framework for how countries and territories are represented in esports, with clear roles, aligned governance, and a system that works for players, game partners, and fans alike.”
Eligible applicants include esports organizations, clubs, agencies, nongovernmental organizations, national esports and sport federations and associations, recognized government-mandated entities, content creators, and experienced esports professionals with strong national ecosystem ties.
Applications are now open at esportsnationscup.com and will close on Jan. 31. Submissions will be reviewed through a multi-stage evaluation process, assessing governance standards, ecosystem standing, operational capability, community reach, and alignment with game partners’ requirements.
The first cohort of approved National Team Partners will be announced in early 2026.
The ENC will be held in Riyadh in November before moving to a rotating city model every two years.
