The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, on Wednesday expressed Nigerians’ disappointment over the Super Eagles’ failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, asking former team captain Joseph Yobo to convey the public’s frustration to the players.
Wike spoke during the inauguration of the Kuje-Gwagwalada Road in Abuja, where Yobo was among the dignitaries present.
The minister said many Nigerians were still unhappy that the country would not be participating in the World Cup despite the expansion of the tournament to 48 teams and the presence of Nigerian players in top leagues across the world.
“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.
He lamented that countries with less football pedigree had secured places at the World Cup while Nigeria failed to qualify.
“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,” he said.
Addressing Yobo directly, Wike said: “Yobo, go and tell them we are not happy.”
Nigeria missed out on qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after an underwhelming campaign in the African qualifiers despite the tournament’s expansion from 32 to 48 teams.
The Super Eagles’ hopes of reaching the competition ended after they were knocked out in the qualifying playoffs, losing to Congo on penalties.