Former Super Eagles captain John Mikel Obi has sounded the alarm over Nigeria’s precarious road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, warning that missing back-to-back tournaments would amount to a national disgrace.

In a passionate address on his Obi One Podcast, Mikel urged the current squad to block out distractions and fight for their pride, declaring: “It’s going to be a crime, an absolute crime, if Nigeria doesn’t make it to the World Cup again.”

Campaign Hanging by a Thread

Nigeria currently occupies third place in Group C, trailing rivals and facing the very real possibility of elimination.

With only two matches remaining in the qualifying phase, the Super Eagles must win both fixtures and hope for favorable results elsewhere to revive their campaign.

Mikel acknowledged the squad’s talent but cautioned that attitude, cohesion, and leadership would be critical in turning things around during this decisive stretch.

“Our World Cup fate is in the players’ hands. They have to win these two games — no excuses,” he urged.

Accountability at the Top

While laying much of the burden on the players, Mikel didn’t shy away from targeting the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

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He argued that if the team fails to qualify, it wouldn’t just be a failure on the pitch — it would reflect systemic leadership flaws.

“If Nigeria doesn’t qualify for the World Cup, the entire NFF board has to go… it’s unacceptable,” he declared.

Mikel implied that repeat failures threaten Nigeria’s standing in African—and global—football circles, and must not be tolerated.