The National Sports Commission (NSC) has called the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to a decisive meeting on Thursday, August 14, to address Nigeria’s faltering 2026 World Cup campaign, looming youth tournaments, and a simmering dispute over WAFCON prize money.

Sources confirm that while the official agenda includes preparations for September’s World Cup qualifiers, the World Youth Championship in Chile, and the WAFU B U-17 Championship in Abeokuta, tensions are running high over the NSC’s directive that 30 percent of Nigeria’s Women’s Africa Cup of Nations earnings be paid directly to the Super Falcons and their coaching staff.

The NFF, which has never shared prize money with its teams, is resisting the move — a stance that has drawn criticism from sports administrators who say the payout could boost morale and performance. Other WAFCON medalists, including Ghana, have committed a higher percentage to their squads.

Behind the scenes, football insiders suggest the NFF fears the meeting could expose long-standing issues that have dogged Nigeria’s World Cup hopes — from questionable coaching decisions and delayed player call-ups to unpaid bonuses. With four must-win qualifiers against Rwanda, South Africa, Lesotho, and Zimbabwe, the stakes could not be higher.

NSC officials, however, are adamant that no media campaign or internal pushback will derail the prize money directive, describing it as “cast in stone.” The commission also insists that the meeting is about unifying efforts, not taking over the NFF’s mandate.

For many in the sports community, the gathering is a make-or-break moment. If the NSC and NFF cannot bridge their differences, Nigeria risks not only losing a foothold in the 2026 World Cup race but also falling short in key youth tournaments that shape the country’s football future.