Waldrum queries NFF over FIFA’s $960k W’Cup money

Former Super Falcons coach Randy Waldrum has questioned the Nigeria Football Federation over $960,000 (approximately N1.45bn) allegedly received from FIFA 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 funds, the NFF failed to arrange adequate pre-tournament camping for the team.

“I have a real close contact here in the US that is very connected with some of the board at FIFA. This person told me that in October, every country was given $960,000 from FIFA to prepare for the World Cup. Where is that money?” Waldrum queried.

The American tactician dismissed the team’s participation in a friendly tournament in Japan as inadequate and stressful.

“We went to Japan, we flew in, played the game and went home. Some of our players didn’t arrive until the morning before the game. Five players who were going to start for me arrived the night before the game and travelled 16 hours on the plane. We wasted the last five days of that window to train,” he said.

Waldrum also said that while FIFA allows up to 22 technical staff members, the NFF travelled with only about 11 personnel.

“FIFA also allows your technical staff up to 22 people. Well, we have only about 11. I don’t have an analyst, and I scout. The US has a scout in Europe watching teams play in exhibitions. 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 stated.

He added that FIFA provides funding for business class tickets for teams, with costs deducted from post-tournament payments to federations.

“So there’s no excuse to say we didn’t have money to buy tickets, and then we didn’t have camps. These are the kinds of things that the people of Nigeria don’t question. In the US, they would be questioned,” Waldrum said.

However, records show the Super Falcons played friendly matches against the USA in August 2022, Japan in October 2022, and Mexico in February 2023 as part of their build-up.

In April 2023, the team travelled to Turkey, where they defeated New Zealand 3-0 and Haiti 2-1.

The team also embarked on a training tour in Gold Coast, Australia, from July 4 to 11, 2023, where they played a friendly match against Lions FC before relocating to Brisbane on July 11 to join the FIFA camp.

Despite the challenges highlighted by Waldrum, the Super Falcons reached the round of 16 at the tournament, holding Canada and Ireland to goalless draws and recording a memorable 3-2 victory over co-hosts Australia in the group stage before losing 4-2 on penalties to England in the knockout round.