Wike To Yobo: Tell Super Eagles Nigerians are not happy over World Cup failure

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has expressed anger over Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, saying Nigerians are not happy with the Super Eagles.

Wike spoke on Wednesday during the inauguration of the Kuje-Gwagwalada Road in Abuja, where former Super Eagles captain, Joseph Yobo, was among dignitaries present.

The minister said it was painful that Nigeria failed to qualify for the ongoing expanded 48-team World Cup despite the country’s rich football history and the number of Nigerian players in major leagues across the world.

Addressing Yobo directly, Wike urged the former defender to deliver 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.”

Wike said many Nigerians were disappointed that the country was absent from the tournament while countries with less football pedigree secured qualification.

The FCT minister said 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 qualification campaign.

The Super Eagles’ hopes were finally dashed after they lost to Congo on penalties in the qualifying playoffs.

The failure has continued to draw criticism from fans and public figures, especially as the 2026 World Cup is the first edition to feature 48 teams.