Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike has voiced his frustration over Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, saying many Nigerians are unhappy with the Super Eagles.
Wike spoke on Wednesday during the inauguration of the Kuje-Gwagwalada Road in Abuja. Former Super Eagles captain Joseph Yobo was among the dignitaries present.
The minister said it was painful that Nigeria missed out on the expanded 48-team tournament despite the country’s football history and the large number of Nigerian players featuring in top leagues around the world.
Addressing Yobo, Wike urged him to pass the message to the national team.
“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,” Wike said.
“So if nobody tells you that, because there are some people clapping for you.”
He said many Nigerians were disappointed to see the country absent from the competition while nations with less football pedigree secured qualification.
The FCT minister added that watching the World Cup without Nigeria had been frustrating.
“I watch the World Cup and countries I’ve never heard before qualifying to play the World Cup,” he said.
“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.”
Turning again to Yobo, Wike said, “Yobo, go and tell them we are not happy.”
Nigeria failed to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after a poor qualifying campaign. The Super Eagles’ hopes ended when they lost to Congo on penalties in the qualifying playoffs.
The failure has continued to attract criticism from fans and public figures, especially as the 2026 tournament is the first World Cup edition to feature 48 teams.
