Former Nigeria international Brown Ideye has delivered a stark warning that the Super Eagles are at serious risk of missing out on the 2026 FIFA World Cup, just as they did in 2022.
Speaking in a recent interview with Official54x, the AFCON 2013-winning striker expressed frustration with Nigeria’s faltering campaign, adding that the team’s sluggish start and failure to take responsibility may cost them a second consecutive World Cup appearance.
“With the present form, I don’t think we are going to qualify unless something changes,” Ideye said. “We always forget to do our job at the right time. Then we expect someone else to clean up the mess.”
The Super Eagles currently sit fourth in their qualifying group with seven points from six matches, and trail behind Rwanda, South Africa, and Benin.
Only the top team in the group earns an automatic spot at the World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
Ideye, who played a key role in Nigeria’s 2013 Africa Cup of Nations triumph under Stephen Keshi, never featured at a World Cup during his career.
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His comments reflect widespread concerns about the current squad’s form, mentality, and connection with fans.
“Why do we keep on doing it the hard way? A country of over 200 million people, yet we can’t win simple games.
People close their shops, leave their jobs just to support the national team but right now, many Nigerians have lost faith in them.”
The former West Brom and Dynamo Kyiv striker added that even if the Super Eagles manage to scrape through qualification, it would take an unprecedented deep run in the tournament to win back fan support.
“Even if they eventually qualify, people won’t believe in this team unless they go very far—maybe to the semi-finals, which we’ve never reached.”
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Nigeria’s next qualifying matches come in September, with must-win clashes against Rwanda and South Africa.
Failure to collect maximum points could effectively end their hopes of reaching the global stage.
