The Lagos State Football Association (Lagos FA) has officially announced the commencement of the registration process for the eagerly anticipated 2026 President Federation Cup. This tournament serves as the state-level qualifier for the prestigious national knock-out competition, often referred to as Nigeria’s oldest and most revered football tournament.
In an official circular released by the FA, signed by the FA Secretary, Mrs. Vera Jatto Okechukwu, the registration window has been clearly outlined, emphasizing both physical and online compliance.
All participating clubs are strongly advised to adhere strictly to these deadlines, as no extensions will be granted after the final January 31st closing date, in line with the national body’s schedule.
The Lagos FA has set varying registration fees for the male and female categories, reflecting the administrative requirements for managing the competition across both divisions.
Male Teams: ₦225,000 (Two Hundred and Twenty-Five Thousand Naira)
Female Teams: ₦175,000 (One Hundred and Seventy-Five Thousand Naira)
A crucial detail highlighted in the circular is the maximum number of players permitted for registration and the strict procedure to be followed, each participating club, both male and female, is allowed to register a maximum of 40 players.
The Football Association was explicit in stating that player registration shall be conducted at once and not in batches. This measure is put in place to ensure integrity and smooth processing before the tournament draw. Clubs must present a complete list of 40 players during the designated registration period.
Also, to maintain discipline and fair play throughout the state preliminaries, the Lagos FA has instituted financial penalties for disciplinary infractions incurred by players and team officials. Yellow Card Fine attracts ₦10,000 while Red Card Fine is ₦20,000
These fines must be settled by the club before their subsequent match, failure of which could result in a team’s temporary suspension from the competition.
The President Federation Cup (formerly Challenge Cup) is a vital platform for grassroots and professional clubs alike, offering the unique opportunity to compete against the nation’s best. For Lagos-based teams, winning the state qualifiers not only confers bragging rights but, more importantly, grants them the privilege of representing the state in the National Finals.
