Former Super Falcons head coach Randy Waldrum has challenged the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to account for $960,000 he claims FIFA disbursed to all participating nations in October 2022 for preparations ahead of the 2023 Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
In a viral video circulating on social media, Waldrum alleged that despite receiving the grant, the NFF failed to organise a proper pre-tournament training camp for the nine-time African champions. “Every country was given $960,000 from FIFA to prepare for the World Cup. Where is that money?” he asked.
The American coach criticised the handling of the team’s October 2022 friendly in Japan, describing the trip as poorly arranged and physically draining, with several players arriving only hours before the match after long-haul flights. He also faulted the size of Nigeria’s backroom staff, noting that FIFA permits up to 22 technical personnel but the Falcons travelled with barely half that number. “I don’t have an analyst, and I scout. We don’t even have scouts going with us to Australia. Everything I have to do is on videos and what I can pick up online,” he lamented.
Waldrum argued that FIFA provides support for business-class travel—costs later deducted from prize money—insisting there was no justification for inadequate logistics or training camps.
Records, however, show the Falcons did engage in several preparatory activities before the tournament, including friendlies against the USA, Japan, and Mexico, a camp in Turkey where they defeated New Zealand and Haiti, and a training tour in Australia ahead of the competition.
Despite the organisational concerns, Nigeria produced one of their strongest World Cup campaigns in recent years. They held Canada and Ireland to goalless draws, stunned co-hosts Australia 3–2, and reached the Round of 16, where they lost 4–2 on penalties to eventual finalists England after a tense 0–0 draw.
The NFF has yet to issue a formal response to Waldrum’s renewed allegations.
