NFF board must go if Nigeria misses 2026 World Cup – Mikel Obi

Former Super Eagles captain Mikel Obi has called for the entire board of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to resign if the national team fails to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Speaking on his podcast, Obi warned that missing the tournament for the second consecutive time would be devastating for Nigerians and emphasized the need for accountability at the leadership level.

Obi argued that Nigeria, as the self-proclaimed biggest footballing nation in Africa, should not struggle to qualify for the World Cup, and back-to-back failures would indicate deep-rooted problems. He criticized the current environment surrounding the national team, stating that players lack motivation and a conducive atmosphere when representing the country.

While acknowledging that players must also take responsibility, Obi insisted that the primary issue lies with the NFF leadership and suggested that government intervention might be necessary to address the decline. Despite his frustrations, he urged fans to continue supporting the team as qualification hopes remain alive, but reiterated that drastic changes must follow if Nigeria fails to secure a spot.