Former Super Eagles captain, Joseph Yobo has expressed cautious optimism about Nigeria’s chances of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Speaking with ex international Ifeanyi Udeze during an interview on Brila FM, Yobo reflected on the current situation facing the national team, emphasizing belief, responsibility, and the hope for a positive outcome.
“I still believe,” Yobo said. “We’ve prayed and we’ve done the calculations. At one point, we knew there was some boardroom politics going on, and we felt that if points weren’t deducted, it would raise questions about the standards being set. But now that the decision has been made, we have two matches left to play.”
Victor Osimhen. Photo | NFF
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Nigeria currently sits in a difficult position in the World Cup qualifiers and must win their remaining two games to have any chance of qualifying.
“It’s not over until the referee blows the final whistle,” Yobo continued. “I’ve been in this situation before as a player, and we managed to pull through. It’s no longer fully in our hands, but we must do our part win our games, and win them convincingly. We have to approach them like cup finals.”
He acknowledged the disappointment of the current scenario, adding that Nigeria must avoid a repeat of past mistakes.
“It’s a shame we are in this position, but we’ll also need a bit of luck. If teams like Benin Republic or South Africa drop points, that could open a door for us. But again, it starts with us doing our job.”
Reflecting on his own career, Yobo recalled how a similar situation cost his generation a place at the 2006 World Cup.
“I feel horrible because something similar happened during our time. 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.”
Yobo stressed the importance of World Cup qualification not just for the players, but for the country as a whole.
Joseph Yobo challenges Gonzalo Higuain during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Group match. (Photo | Getty Images)
“The World Cup is the biggest stage in football. 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.
“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.”
Joseph Yobo remains one of Nigeria’s most celebrated footballers. He is the second most capped Super Eagles player, behind only Ahmed Musa.
Also read: 2026 FIFA WCQ: Super Eagles In High Spirits Ahead of Crucial Lesotho Clash
He represented Nigeria at three World Cups, six Africa Cup of Nations tournaments winning the title in 2013 as captain and one FIFA Confederations Cup.
Yobo is also regarded as a club legend at Everton, where he made 260 appearances.
He played a vital role in helping the club reach the 2009 FA Cup final and the UEFA Cup. He is also the first and only African player to captain the club.
