Former Super Eagles captain, John Mikel Obi, has declared that the Nigeria Football Federation must be disbanded if the national team fails to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Reacting to Nigeria’s recent 1-1 draw against South Africa in Bloemfontein, Mikel said the outcome leaves the team’s qualification hopes in serious doubt and that failure to reach the tournament should have direct consequences for football leadership in the country.
“If Nigeria doesn’t qualify for the World Cup, the entire NFF board has to go… it’s unacceptable,” the former Chelsea star stated during his Obi One Podcast.
With just two group stage matches left to play, the Super Eagles trail group leaders South Africa by six points and are level on 11 points with the Benin Republic, who have a game in hand.
Reflecting on Nigeria’s absence from the last World Cup in Qatar and the potential of another missed opportunity, Mikel stressed the need for accountability within the football administration.
“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,” he said.
Mikel’s comments come amid growing concerns over the Super Eagles’ inconsistency in the qualifying campaign and increasing public scrutiny of the NFF’s performance.
