By Fred Chukwuelobe
For several hours last night and into the early hours of this morning, I watched the world react to the outcome of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Spain erupted in celebration. Millions of jubilant fans flooded the streets, waving flags and singing with unbridled joy.
Across the Atlantic, Argentina mourned. Television cameras captured tearful supporters and an emotional Lionel Messi coming to terms with defeat.
One moment, however, stood out for me. Argentina failed to register a single shot on target in 120 minutes of football, yet the pain of defeat was evident everywhere. It reminded me that countries with strong football cultures understand that the FIFA World Cup is far more than a sporting event. It is a source of national pride, a platform for global relevance, an economic asset and a powerful instrument of soft power.
As I watched Spain’s political leaders celebrate alongside football legends from the two-time world champions, my thoughts drifted back to Nigeria.
We did not even qualify for the expanded 2026 FIFA World Cup. Yet, over ₦6 billion was reportedly budgeted in connection with our World Cup campaign. That reality raises an important question: When will Nigeria truly appreciate the enormous opportunities that come with football’s biggest tournament?
The FIFA World Cup is not simply about ninety minutes of football. It stimulates tourism, creates jobs, attracts investment, enhances a nation’s global image and unites citizens behind a common cause.
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| Spain… the 2026 winners |
FIFA reportedly generated more than $15 billion from the tournament, while the host countries are expected to enjoy substantial economic benefits through tourism, commerce, infrastructure development and international exposure.
Nigeria, unfortunately, continues to see football largely through the narrow prism of administration and competition, rather than as a strategic national asset.
When Nigeria hosted the FIFA Under-17 World Cup, the official narrative was that the country recorded financial losses. Yet many countries that have hosted FIFA competitions have successfully converted them into long-term economic and developmental gains through proper planning, infrastructure and tourism.
Sadly, our football administration reflects many of the institutional weaknesses that have become commonplace in public service. The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), like many government agencies, has repeatedly faced allegations of poor planning, inefficiency and administrative shortcomings. Rather than concentrating on football development, too much energy appears to be devoted to bureaucracy, politics and personal interests.
Even when Nigeria qualifies for major competitions, familiar controversies often dominate the headlines: players protesting unpaid bonuses and allowances, disagreements over accommodation, chaotic travel arrangements and inadequate preparations. We have also become accustomed to reports of officials travelling with family members and associates, while the welfare of the players becomes a secondary concern.
This is hardly the foundation upon which football excellence is built. Ironically, football remains perhaps the only activity capable of uniting Nigerians across ethnic, religious and political divides. Whenever the Super Eagles perform well, nobody asks whether a goal scorer is Igbo, Yoruba, Hausa or from any other ethnic group. We celebrate as one people. For ninety minutes, we rediscover our common identity.
That is why our recurring failure to prepare adequately, qualify consistently and compete effectively should worry every Nigerian.
What has happened to a country that once dominated African football? Why have we become increasingly absent from the biggest football tournament in the world despite our enormous reservoir of talent? Why do we continue to repeat the same administrative mistakes every qualification cycle and expect different outcomes?
These questions deserve honest reflection.
Today, Spain is celebrating. Spaniards at home and across the diaspora are united in a shared sense of achievement. Their victory will inspire another generation, strengthen national pride and reinforce Spain’s image before a global audience.
Meanwhile, back home in Nigeria, we budgeted billions of naira for a tournament we never attended. We failed to qualify, public funds were committed, there has been little meaningful accountability and, as usual, the nation has moved on as though nothing significant happened.
That should trouble us all.
Until Nigeria begins to treat football not merely as entertainment or an avenue for patronage, but as a serious national project capable of promoting unity, creating jobs, attracting investment and projecting the country’s image globally, we may continue to watch the FIFA World Cup from the sidelines while other nations celebrate on football’s grandest stage.
The World Cup is much more than a game. The countries that understand this continue to reap its rewards. The question is: when will Nigeria?
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