Mikel Obi Calls for Dissolution of NFF if Super Eagles Miss 2026 World Cup

Former Super Eagles captain, John Mikel Obi, has called on the federal government to dissolve the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) if the national team fails to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Nigeria’s hopes of making it to the tournament are hanging by a thread following their 1-1 draw against South Africa in Bloemfontein. The Super Eagles now sit third in Group C, six points behind leaders South Africa, with only two games left to play.

Speaking on the Obi One Podcast, the former Chelsea midfielder expressed deep frustration at the state of Nigerian football.

“If Nigeria doesn’t qualify for the World Cup, the entire NFF board has to go… it’s unacceptable. We didn’t qualify for Qatar — the last World Cup — and now it looks like again we are not going to make it. Honestly, I have nothing to say about it,” Mikel said.

Opinion: Time to Hold Leadership Accountable

Mikel Obi’s blunt call is one many Nigerians silently echo. The Super Eagles’ struggles go beyond missed chances on the pitch — they reflect systemic failures within the country’s football administration.

The NFF has often been accused of poor planning, managerial instability, and lack of long-term vision. A nation with Nigeria’s talent pool should not be fighting for scraps in World Cup qualifiers, yet here we are.

Mikel’s words are a reminder that football is not just a sport in Nigeria, it’s a source of national pride. To miss out on two consecutive World Cups would not only be a sporting failure but also a betrayal of millions of fans who live and breathe the game.

Whether dissolution is the solution or not, one thing is clear: accountability must start from the top. Nigeria cannot keep recycling the same problems and expect different results.

For the sake of the next generation of players — and the dreams of millions of fans — maybe it really is time to hit the reset button.