Mikel Blasts NFF, Demands Resignation After Nigeria Misses 2026 World Cup

Former Nigeria national football team captain John Obi Mikel has called on the leadership of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to resign following the country’s failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be hosted by United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Mikel also urged the Federal Government of Nigeria to investigate how the national team failed to secure qualification from a group that included Rwanda national football team, Lesotho national football team, Zimbabwe national football team, Benin national football team, and South Africa national football team.

The former midfielder, who earned 89 caps for Nigeria and featured at the 2014 FIFA World Cup and 2018 FIFA World Cup, described the situation as a major setback for Nigerian football.

The Super Eagles will miss the global tournament in North America after also failing to qualify for the previous edition. Their latest hopes were dashed when Nigeria lost on penalties to DR Congo national football team in the second round of African qualifying last November.

In an interview published by talkSPORT, Mikel insisted that accountability must start from the top, urging the current football administrators to step aside.

According to him, it is unacceptable for a country with Nigeria’s population and football talent to miss the World Cup twice consecutively.

He also singled out the NFF leadership, including its president Ibrahim Musa Gusau, stating that the organisation must take responsibility for the failure.

Mikel warned that while other African nations are making significant progress, Nigeria appears to be falling behind. He cited Morocco national football team as an example of a country investing in football development and achieving growth.

Despite the setback, Nigeria still holds a slim chance of qualifying for the tournament after the NFF submitted a petition to FIFA, accusing DR Congo of fielding ineligible players during the African playoff final.

FIFA is expected to deliver its verdict before the intercontinental playoff scheduled to take place in Mexico later this month.