NFF Board Must Go If Nigeria Misses 2026 FIFA World Cup, Says Obi

By Simeon OSAJIE

A former Super Eagles captain, Mikel Obi, has said the board of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) must go if the country fails to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Speaking on the Obi One Podcast on Thursday, the ex-Chelsea midfielder warned that missing the tournament for a second time running would be devastating for Nigerians.

According to him, “I feel for the people of my country. I feel for people in Nigeria because they’re going to be devastated right now. For the second time running, we’re not going to qualify for the World Cup. Does anything change if you don’t? Oh, man. It has to. It has to.”

Going further, Mikel stressed that accountability must start at the top, insisting that those in charge of Nigerian football cannot remain in office if the Eagles fall short again.

“If we don’t make it to the World Cup, I just think the whole board of the NFF needs to go. Twice in a row we don’t qualify, something is wrong. A drastic change has to be done,” he declared.

The former Super Eagles skipper argued that Nigeria, with its footballing pedigree, should not struggle to feature on the world stage.

“We are the biggest footballing country in Africa. I don’t care what anybody says. Nigeria is the biggest when it comes to African football. So if twice in a row we don’t qualify, something is definitely wrong,” he maintained.

Mikel also criticised the atmosphere around the national team, saying players were not being given the right motivation or conducive environment whenever they return home for international duty.

“You have to make those players motivated, find a conducive way. When they come back home to play for Nigeria, they have to feel comfortable. And right now, nobody’s making that comfortable for them,” he lamented.

While pointing to the responsibility of the players, Mikel insisted that the root of the problem lies in leadership. He also suggested government intervention may be needed to arrest the decline.

 “Yes, the players have to take responsibility, but the biggest problem is from the top. From the top. If the government want to get involved, they have to get involved because it’s not acceptable,” he said.

Despite his frustration, the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations winner called on fans to continue backing the team as qualification hopes are still alive.

“The dream’s not dead in Berlin yet. It’s not dead yet. We have two games left and we have to still support the team. But if we don’t make it, massive, drastic change has to be done. The whole board of the NFF has to go,” he warned.

Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar remains a significant disappointment. The Super Eagles were eliminated by Ghana in March 2022 after a 1-1 draw in Abuja, with the Black Stars progressing on away goals.

The disappointment led to the heavy criticism of the Nigeria Football Federation leadership.

The 2026 qualification campaign has seen some improvement, but remains challenging. Nigeria is in Group C, alongside South Africa, Benin, Rwanda, Lesotho, and Zimbabwe. The group winner will qualify directly for the World Cup, while the runner-up may enter a playoff.

Nigeria’s first victory in the 2026 qualifiers came in March 2025, with a 2-0 away win over Rwanda in Kigali, thanks to a brace from Victor Osimhen. However, a subsequent 1-1 draw against Zimbabwe in Uyo, where Nigeria conceded a stoppage-time equalizer, hindered their progress.

On September 9 2025, Nigeria played to a 1-1 draw against South Africa in Bloemfontein, leaving them with 11 points from 8 matches. South Africa leads the group with 17 points.

Benin is on 14 points after beating Lesotho and Rwanda is on 11 points. Lesotho and Zimbabwe have been eliminated from contention.

With two matches remaining – against Lesotho (away) and Benin (home) – Nigeria’s hopes of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup are still alive but require maximum points and favourable results elsewhere.