Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has voiced his dissatisfaction over the Super Eagles’ inability to secure a place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, calling on former Nigerian captain Joseph Yobo to relay the disappointment of Nigerians to the national team.
Wike made the remarks on Wednesday during the inauguration of the Kuje-Gwagwalada Road in Abuja, an event attended by Yobo and other notable guests.
Expressing the mood of many football-loving Nigerians, the minister lamented that the country would not be part of the expanded 48-team tournament despite its rich football history and the presence of Nigerian players in top leagues around the globe.
“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,” Wike said.
The FCT minister noted that watching the World Cup without Nigeria’s participation had been particularly frustrating, especially as countries with relatively modest football records succeeded in booking places at the competition.
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“I watch the World Cup and countries I’ve never heard before qualifying to play the World Cup.
And I’m sitting down for hours watching countries that are not known. Nigeria, in this context, has not less than 13 Nigerians playing all over the world (in the ongoing World Cup). But here, we did not qualify.”
Addressing Yobo directly, Wike added, “Yobo, go and tell them we are not happy.”
Nigeria missed out on qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after failing to progress from the CAF qualifying campaign, despite the tournament’s expansion from 32 to 48 teams.
The Super Eagles’ hopes were eventually dashed in the qualification playoffs, where they lost to Congo in a penalty shootout, ending their chances of appearing at the global football showpiece.