Despite the country's national team's performance in this year's World Cup, Nigeria will definitely be absent in the upcoming Women's World Cup. This has been confirmed by a statement issued by FIFA, who has officially suspended Nigeria from all international football amid allegations of its government handling its national football associations. BBC said that the world soccer body had given the African government until Tuesday to reinstate the sacked Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) executive committee, which has been dissolved last week and was subsequently replaced by a single administrator.
FIFA said, "During the period of suspension, the NFF may not be represented in any regional, continental or international competitions, including at club level, or in friendly matches."
The Under-20 Women's World Cup will begin on August 5, but Nigeria's chances to participate in the international tournament would be nil should the suspension be retained by FIFA by July 15.
FIFA currently has an organization policy to not recognize any elected person or a representative that is not in compliance with the NFF rules. The Nigerian government had dissolved the NFF last week and reasoned that it was a necessity to do so as legal proceedings against the NFF were ongoing. NFF president Aminu Maigari was arrested 24 hours later upon his return from this year's World Cup, BBC said. The reason behind the arrest was also unclear, the British news agency added.
Special assistant Ehidiame Omorodion to the Nigerian sports minister told BBC, "Ebiakpo Rumson Baribote, the owner of Nigerian top side Nembe City FC, went to court to obtain 'an interlocutory injunction' which prevents NFF boss Aminu Maigari, his executive board and congress of the NFF from managing the affairs of football matters in the country. The motion has been granted and the minister had to respect the court by appointing a civil servant to oversee affairs for the time being."
