Former Super Eagles captain John Obi Mikel has thrown his weight behind Nigeria’s chances of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, insisting that all hope is not lost despite a shaky campaign.
Speaking on his ObiOne Podcast, the Chelsea legend described Nigeria’s qualification path as “a shootout,” with two decisive matches left to determine the team’s fate.
“Our World Cup fate is in the players’ hands,” Mikel said. “Forget the politics, forget the distractions — just win your two games and qualify.”
The Situation
Nigeria currently sits three points behind South Africa and Benin in Group C, with an away clash against Lesotho and a final home tie against Benin Republic remaining. The Super Eagles must win both fixtures to keep their qualification hopes alive.
Mikel acknowledged that internal challenges within the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) have contributed to the team’s struggles but urged players to focus on performance rather than politics.“This is not the time for excuses or blame. Just get the results. The players can still make it happen,” he said.
Mikel, who represented Nigeria in two World Cups and won the 2013 AFCON, expressed strong belief in the squad’s potential, noting that the Super Eagles have consistently produced world-class talent.
However, he warned that failure to qualify would be “a crime” given Nigeria’s footballing pedigree and fan expectations.
According to Mikel, Nigeria’s route to qualification rests on three key factors:
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Unity and Focus: “The team must block out distractions and stay united,” he emphasized.
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Execution on the Pitch: Every opportunity must count, especially in the final two matches.
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Resilience Under Pressure: The players must handle the weight of expectation and deliver when it matters most.
With the next fixtures approaching, Mikel’s message resonates like a rallying cry to both players and fans: the dream is still within reach — but only through determination, discipline, and teamwork.
“We’ve done it before,” Mikel concluded. “Nigeria always finds a way when it matters. Win those games, and we’ll be at the World Cup again.”
