LAGOS, Nigeria — Former Super Eagles captain John Mikel Obi has said the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) should be disbanded if the national team fails to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Nigeria’s chances of reaching the tournament, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, are slim following a draw against South Africa that left the team third in Group C.
With two games remaining, the Super Eagles trail the Bafana Bafana by six points.
Speaking on the Obi One Podcast, Mikel, a 2013 Africa Cup of Nations winner, said accountability rests with football administrators rather than the players.
“If Nigeria doesn’t qualify for the World Cup, the entire NFF board has to go… it’s unacceptable,” he said.
“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. It is just horrible.”
The former Chelsea midfielder said he does not believe the squad should shoulder full blame.
“Do you blame the players? No, I don’t blame the players. Yes, the players have to take responsibility for the situation but are you gonna blame the players alone? No,” he said.
Mikel argued that the NFF’s shortcomings had created the conditions for repeated failures.
“Again, we talk about it so many times, and that’s why you have people disrespect the African continent and football. Yes, the players have to take responsibility but the biggest challenge is from the top,” he added.
The Super Eagles currently have 11 points from eight matches.
While mathematically still in contention, their qualification depends not only on winning their final two games — away to Lesotho and at home against Benin Republic — but also on other results going in their favour.
Nigeria could still advance through the playoff route if they finish as one of the four best second-placed teams.
However, with South Africa in commanding form, Mikel’s stark warning reflects growing frustration among fans and analysts who fear the country could miss back-to-back World Cups for the first time since 2006.
