Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has said Nigerians have forgiven the Super Eagles for failing to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after former team captain Joseph Yobo reportedly conveyed the nation’s disappointment to the players.
Wike made the remarks during the commissioning of Collector Roads 01 and 02, which connect the Mabushi Bus Terminal to Ahmadu Bello Way in Abuja.
According to the minister, Yobo informed him that he had delivered the message of disappointment to the national team and that the players assured him that such a failure would not happen again.
“I want to announce to this audience that Yobo told me yesterday that he has communicated our message to the Super Eagles, and they have told him that this would be the last time such a mistake would occur,” Wike said.
The minister also honoured former Super Eagles stars Joseph Yobo and Emmanuel Babayaro during the event, praising them for their contributions to Nigerian football and their service to the country.
Wike had earlier expressed disappointment over Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the expanded 48-team 2026 FIFA World Cup, questioning how a country with numerous players competing in Europe’s top leagues could miss out on the tournament.
He noted that Nigeria remains ranked above several countries that secured qualification, describing the development as difficult to understand.
At the time, the FCT minister directed Yobo to convey Nigerians’ frustrations to the players, insisting that individual success at club level could not excuse the national team’s inability to reach football’s biggest competition.
Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup marks the second consecutive time the Super Eagles will miss the tournament, having also failed to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar despite a squad featuring players such as Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman and Alex Iwobi.
Neither the Nigeria Football Federation nor any current member of the Super Eagles has publicly confirmed the apology Wike said was delivered through Yobo.
The minister’s remarks have since generated mixed reactions among football fans, with some welcoming the conciliatory tone while others remain frustrated by Nigeria’s continued absence from the World Cup despite the country’s vast football talent.
