“I feel horrible” – Ex-Everton star says missing the World Cup hurts Nigeria’s football and economy

Three-time African champions, Nigeria’s Super Eagles are on the verge of missing back-to-back World Cup tournaments for the first time since the team’s debut in 1994

Former Everton captain Joseph Yobo says he feels ‘horrible' watching Nigeria’s 2026 World Cup hopes hang by a thread, but believes a miracle could still happen if the players rise to the occasion, Soccernet.ng reports. 

Nigeria, who missed out on the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, are again in danger of failing to qualify for the next edition, jointly hosted by the USA, Canada and Mexico.

The Super Eagles are three points behind Benin and South Africa in Group C, with just two games remaining: against Lesotho on Friday and Benin on Tuesday.

Former Super Eagles skipper Yobo has reflected on the heartbreak of missing the 2006 World Cup, drawing parallels with Nigeria’s current predicament.

“I feel horrible because something similar happened during our time,” Yobo told Brila FM.

“We were young, a strong generation, and missing the 2006 World Cup affected our careers.

“We had just come off the 2002 tournament, and that continuity would have helped many of us move to bigger clubs. Missing that World Cup was a setback.”

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Yobo, who made 260 appearances for Everton, admitted the consequences of missing out on the Mundial extend far beyond the pitch.

“The World Cup is the biggest stage in football,” Yobo added.

“It goes beyond the players. It impacts the nation, the fans, even the economy. For a country like Nigeria not to be there, it doesn’t make sense. It affects everyone, because football is a huge part of our culture.”

Nigeria: Yobo calls for belief and responsibility

Despite the odds, Yobo is not giving up hope. The 2013 Africa Cup of Nations-winning captain insists that faith and effort must combine if Nigeria are to turn their fortunes around.

“We can’t keep making these mistakes. I’m not even thinking about not qualifying. I’m just hoping that a miracle happens somewhere. But we must play our part first.”

The Super Eagles are presently camped in Polokwane, South Africa, where Eric Chelle and his boys will target all three points at stake against Lesotho.

At the same time, Nigeria will hope Benin fail to beat Rwanda and South Africa drop points against Zimbabwe.