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Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, has urged Nigerian football fans not to be despondent as the 2026 World Cup kicks off without the Super Eagles.
Obi blamed the country’s absence on a deficit in leadership and planning rather than a lack of talent.
“As the World Cup begins today across three nations, I identify with our teeming football followers and urge them not to be despondent that Nigeria is not participating, despite the abundant talent in our land,” Obi wrote on X on Thursday.
“Our failure to participate on the global stage is not due to a deficit of talent; it is a direct consequence of a deficit in leadership, planning, and institutional support.”
Obi, the Labour Party presidential candidate during the 2023 election, said the task of building a better Nigeria rests primarily on the shoulders of the younger generation.
“Do not watch the World Cup with despair; rather, see it as a reminder of where Nigeria ought to be,” he said.
“We must move our country from being a nation of mere consumers of global entertainment to a nation of proud producers and competitors.”
As the World Cup Begins Without Nigeria
As the World Cup begins today across three nations, I identify with our teeming football followers and urge them not to be despondent that Nigeria is not participating, despite the abundant talent in our land.
Our failure to participate…
— Peter Obi (@PeterObi) June 11, 2026
The 2026 World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, kicked off on Thursday without Nigeria. The Super Eagles failed to qualify for the 48-team tournament.
