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Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has expressed disappointment over the Super Eagles’ failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, saying he watched countries he had never heard of participate while Nigeria was absent from the competition.
Speaking at the inauguration of the Kuje-Gwagwalada Road in Abuja, where former Super Eagles captain Joseph Yobo was recognised on Wednesday, Wike voiced his frustration at Nigeria’s absence from football’s biggest tournament despite the country’s rich football history.
The minister lamented Nigeria’s failure to secure qualification for the expanded 48-team tournament, which is being jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
The Super Eagles missed the World Cup for the second consecutive time, having also failed to qualify for the 2022 tournament in Qatar.
He noted that at least 13 Nigerian players are currently representing other countries at the tournament, a phenomenon that has drawn criticism from fans and officials alike.
Wike said to Yobo, “But before I leave, we have congratulated one of our stars, Joseph Yobo. But let me use this medium through you to tell the Super Eagles we are not happy.
“So if nobody tells you that, because there are some people clapping for you. I watch the World Cup and countries I’ve never heard before qualifying to play the World Cup.
Yobo, who represented Nigeria at three FIFA World Cups, had earlier expressed dismay at the team’s precarious position in the qualifiers.
Speaking before the failure was confirmed, Yobo warned that missing the World Cup would have consequences beyond the players.
“The World Cup is the biggest stage in football. It goes beyond the players. It impacts the nation, the fans, even the economy. For a country like Nigeria not to be there, it doesn’t make sense. It affects everyone, because football is a huge part of our culture,” Yobo had said.
He added, “We can’t keep making these mistakes. I’m not even thinking about not qualifying. I’m just hoping that a miracle happens somewhere. But we must play our part first.”
