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As the 2026 World Cup gathers momentum in North America, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has expressed frustration over Nigeria’s absence from the tournament.

Wike, who spoke at the commissioning of the Gwagwalada-Kuje Road project on Wednesday, where ex-Super Eagles’ captain, Joseph Yobo, was among dignitaries, expressed sadness over Nigeria’s failure to feature at the World Cup.

The minister said that despite Nigeria’s credentials and the number of players of Nigerian heritage featuring at the World Cup, not seeing the Super Eagles play on the biggest stage is hard to accept.
“Yes, we have congratulated one of our stars, Joseph Yobo.

“But let me use this medium through you to tell the Super Eagles: we are not happy,” the minister said while addressing Yobo at the event.

“If nobody else will tell you that—because I saw people clapping for you the moment they saw the Super Eagles—I said, ‘I won’t clap.’ I won’t clap because I watch the World Cup. I see countries I have never heard of before qualifying to play in the World Cup, and I am sitting down for hours watching countries that are completely unknown.
“In this contest, we have no less than 13 top Nigerian players playing all over the world, but here we are; we did not qualify. Yobo, go and tell them. We are not happy.”

Nigeria failed to reach a second consecutive World Cup tournament after losing to DR Congo in the African playoff tournament last year.

The Super Eagles, who first featured in the competition in 1994, made the play-offs after losing the direct ticket to South Africa despite beating neighbours Benin Republic 4-0 in the final match of the qualification series.
Despite that, Nigeria got a lifeline via the African playoffs after finishing as one of the four second-best-placed teams in the qualification race.

They won their first match against Gabon but agonisingly fell on penalties to the Leopards of DR Congo. That meant the Central Africans represented the continent in the intercontinental playoffs, where they eventually picked one of the two tickets to the World Cup.

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Cristiano Ronaldo delivered a timely response to his critics on Tuesday, scoring twice as Portugal cruised to a commanding 5-0 victory over Uzbekistan in their Group K clash at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Houston.

The emphatic win revived Portugal’s World Cup campaign after their opening draw against DR Congo and moved Roberto Martínez’s side into a strong position in the race for a place in the Round of 32.

Ronaldo wasted little time making his mark. The 41-year-old forward opened the scoring in the sixth minute, finishing from a João Cancelo assist to give Portugal an early advantage.

The goal saw him become the first player in football history to score in six different FIFA World Cups, further extending his remarkable international legacy.

Portugal doubled their lead in the 17th minute through Nuno Mendes, whose attacking run and clinical finish exposed Uzbekistan’s defensive frailties.

The Europeans continued to dominate possession and territory, pinning their opponents deep inside their own half.

Ronaldo struck again six minutes before the break, converting after being picked out by Bruno Fernandes.

The goal handed Portugal a comfortable 3-0 lead at half-time and underlined the veteran forward’s enduring influence on the international stage.

Any hopes of an Uzbek comeback disappeared shortly after the restart when goalkeeper Abduvokhid Nematov inadvertently turned the ball into his own net in the 60th minute, extending Portugal’s lead to four.

With the contest effectively settled, Portugal controlled proceedings and continued to create chances against a tiring Uzbek defence.

Rafael Leão completed the rout in the 87th minute, finishing brilliantly after a well-worked move involving Nelson Semedo to cap a dominant display from the 2016 European champions.

The victory leaves Portugal firmly back in contention for qualification ahead of their final group match, while Uzbekistan face a must-win encounter against DR Congo to keep their World Cup hopes alive.

For Ronaldo, however, the night belonged to him. Having faced growing questions about his role in the national team, the Portuguese captain answered in the most emphatic manner possible with goals, records and a performance that reminded the football world why he remains one of the game’s defining figures.

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Super Eagles head coach Éric Chelle has reached agreement on a new contract with the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF.

Chelle entered the new agreement with NFF during a meeting at the National Sports Commission, NSC, headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday.

NSC Chairman Shehu Dikko, NSC Director-General Bukola Olopade, NFF President Ibrahim Gusau, NFF General Secretary Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, and Chelle attended the meeting.

Chelle will now earn $100,000 monthly, in place of his earlier $45,000 salary, following the new agreement.

The Malian’s assistants will also now be paid by the NFF.

The 48-year-old, who was appointed Super Eagles head coach in January 2025, guided the Super Eagles to third position at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.