Peter Obi has sent an encouraging message to football lovers, saying, they should not feel “despondent” that the Super Eagles of Nigeria are not be featuring in the FIFA World Cup 2026.
With the World Cup already taken off, the three-time Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Winners will not be partakers despite possessing “abundant talent”, the former Labour Party (LP) member said on X.
The FIFA World Cup 2026, which is being co-hosted by the United States of America (USA), Canada and Mexico, kicked off on Thursday 11 June, 2026 with the first match between Mexico and South Africa.
The El Tri defeated their the Bafana Bafana 2-0 at Mexico City Stadium, Mexico City.
The 2027 Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) blamed “deficit in leadership and planning” for the Super Eagles’ inability to make it to the tournament.
Obi said: “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 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.”
He said, it is up to the “younger generation” to make Nigeria a “better” place, adding, they should not watch the World Cup with “despair”, but, allow it remind them of “where Nigeria ought to be”.
Despite boasting elite talents, Nigeria struggled through the World Cup 2026 qualification phase, and eventually suffered defeat in the hands of Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in a penalty shootout during the final continental playoff.
Obi 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.
“We must move our country from being a nation of mere consumers of global entertainment to a nation of proud producers and competitors.”
Photo: Super Eagles of Nigeria
