Okocha says Ronaldinho questioned Nigeria’s 2026 World Cup absence

Austin ‘Jay Jay’ Okocha has revealed that Ronaldinho asked him why Nigeria will not be at the 2026 World Cup. The former Super Eagles captain discussed the question while speaking on the Obi One podcast.

Nigeria missed the tournament after Eric Chelle’s team were beaten by DR Congo in the African play-off final. The defeat ended the Super Eagles’ qualification campaign and left the country without a place at the 2026 World Cup.

Okocha also used the discussion to praise John Mikel Obi for challenging the Nigeria Football Federation publicly. Mikel has criticised the NFF, and Okocha said the former Super Eagles midfielder deserves recognition for speaking openly about the federation.

The former captain explained that he finds it difficult to make similar public comments because he lives in Nigeria and has a friendship with the NFF president. That relationship, he said, makes direct criticism of the federation more complicated for him.

Okocha added that the issue is not limited to conversations within Nigeria. He said former colleagues, including Ronaldinho, have asked him about the country’s failure to qualify for the World Cup. Nigeria’s loss to DR Congo in the play-off final is the result behind those questions.

The comments place the Super Eagles’ absence from the 2026 tournament alongside the continuing debate over the NFF and the team’s qualification campaign. Okocha’s remarks also show the pressure surrounding Nigeria’s failure to reach the competition after the final qualifying setback.