Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has expressed dissatisfaction over the Super Eagles’ failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, asking former national team captain Joseph Yobo to relay Nigerians’ displeasure to the players.

Wike made the remarks on Wednesday at the inauguration of the Kuje-Gwagwalada Road in Abuja, where Yobo was among guests at the event.

The minister said Nigerians were disappointed that the country would not feature at the World Cup, despite the expansion of the competition to 48 teams and the presence of several Nigerian footballers in major leagues across the world.

Addressing Yobo, Wike said the players should not be shielded from public criticism over the team’s inability to secure a place at the tournament.

He said it was frustrating to watch countries with less prominent football records qualify for the competition while Nigeria failed to make the cut.

Wike maintained that Nigeria had enough talented players to compete at the highest level, but said the team’s absence from the tournament remained difficult for many supporters to accept.

“Yobo, go and tell them we are not happy,” the minister said.

Nigeria failed to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after an unsuccessful CAF qualifying campaign.

The Super Eagles’ hopes of reaching the tournament later ended in the playoffs after the team lost to Congo on penalties.