Obafemi Martins bemoans Nigeria’s 2026 World Cup absence

Former Nigeria international Obafemi Martins has hailed the recent progress made by the Super Eagles under head coach Eric Chelle, while expressing his disappointment over the country’s failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The former striker, who earned 42 caps and scored 18 goals for Nigeria during an illustrious international career, acknowledged the positive developments within the national team but admitted that the pain of missing out on football’s biggest tournament continues to overshadow those improvements.

Speaking to New Telegraph, Martins praised the performances of the new players introduced into the squad by Chelle, noting that they have acquitted themselves well and provided encouraging signs for the future of Nigerian football.

The 41-year-old said he was particularly impressed by the commitment and quality shown by the fresh faces in recent matches, describing their displays as a reason for optimism despite the disappointment of not reaching the World Cup.

“We have to work and see how it goes at the end. I’m so happy for the new invitees because they all gave a good account of themselves and I think they played quite well and I’m proud of that,” Martins said.

The former Super Eagles star also highlighted the strong form currently being displayed by many Nigerian players at club level, insisting that the country’s absence from the World Cup is even more painful given the quality available to the national team.

“The current form of our players all round is very impressive and this makes the World Cup absence so painful,” he added.

Nigeria’s failure to secure qualification for the 2026 World Cup came as a major disappointment to supporters, former players and football stakeholders, particularly considering the nation’s rich footballing history and regular appearances at the global tournament.

Martins admitted that, despite no longer being an active player, he remains a passionate supporter of the national team and shares the frustration felt by millions of Nigerians.

“That Nigeria is not going to the World Cup, I’m not happy about that. I’m a fan even though I used to play for Super Eagles. I’m a fan and I think they should gather themselves together and try to play as a team and prepare for the future,” he said.

Since taking charge of the national team, Chelle has sought to rebuild the squad by integrating new talents while maintaining a competitive balance within the team. The early signs have been encouraging, with several players seizing their opportunities and making strong impressions in national colours.

Martins believes the foundation is being laid for a brighter future and urged the team to remain united and focused despite the setback of missing the World Cup. According to the former forward, the current crop of players possess the talent needed to restore Nigeria’s place among Africa’s leading football nations if they continue to develop collectively.

While the disappointment of missing the 2026 tournament remains fresh, Martins’ comments reflect a growing belief that the Super Eagles are moving in the right direction under Chelle’s leadership. The challenge now will be to build on that progress and ensure Nigeria returns stronger in future international competitions.