By: Gabriel Osa
African Action Congress presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore has promised that Nigeria would qualify for every FIFA World Cup during an eight-year presidency if he wins the 2027 presidential election, making sports development part of his wider campaign agenda.
Sowore made the pledge on Saturday, August 29, 2026, while participating in the 2026 Enugu City International Marathon. He said his administration would turn Nigeria into a major global sports hub and ensure the country consistently qualified for the World Cup. His comments came at a difficult moment for Nigerian football, after the Super Eagles failed to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the Super Falcons failed to reach the 2027 Women’s World Cup, ending Nigeria’s uninterrupted participation in that competition since 1991.
Sowore said Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the World Cup was unacceptable, arguing that the country possesses enough sporting talent to compete successfully at the highest international level. He said his government would focus on infrastructure, athlete development and an enabling environment for Nigerian sportsmen and women to compete effectively across different disciplines.
Sowore also clarified that the Enugu event was technically a 10-kilometre road race rather than a full marathon. He noted that a standard marathon covers 42 kilometres, while a half-marathon covers 21 kilometres.
The AAC candidate argued that sport should be treated as an economic sector rather than simply entertainment or recreation. He described the sports economy as part of what is sometimes called the “orange economy”, saying a properly developed sports industry could generate substantial revenue and create opportunities for young Nigerians.
He cited Brazil and Kenya as examples of countries that have developed internationally recognised sporting strengths. Brazil has long been associated with football, while Kenya has established a global reputation in long-distance running. Sowore questioned why Nigeria, with its large population and young population, has not achieved comparable success in athletics and other sports.
He said Nigeria should develop athletes capable of winning medals in multiple disciplines. Beyond football and athletics, he mentioned swimming and said Nigeria had significant potential that remained underdeveloped. Sowore also referred to his own interest in swimming while arguing for a broader national sports strategy.
His World Cup pledge comes after a damaging period for Nigerian football. The Super Eagles failed to qualify for the 2026 men’s World Cup after losing to the Democratic Republic of Congo in a penalty shootout during the African play-off process. The result ended Nigeria’s hopes of appearing at the tournament hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
The disappointment was followed by another major setback involving the women’s national team. The Super Falcons failed to qualify for the 2027 Women’s World Cup after losing 2-1 to South Africa in an intercontinental play-off. Nigeria had appeared at every edition of the women’s tournament since it began in 1991, making the failure a historic break in the country’s record.
The football crisis has also produced consequences within the administration of the sport. Nigeria Football Federation president Ibrahim Gusau, General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi and members of the federation’s executive committee resigned on August 27 amid intense criticism over recent failures. The departures created uncertainty over the direction of Nigerian football and the leadership structure responsible for managing the national game.
The National Sports Commission had already cancelled the NFF electoral congress scheduled for September 27 and indicated that a normalisation arrangement would be considered to reorganise the federation. The developments have increased scrutiny of football administration and intensified debate over whether leadership changes can produce better results.
Sowore’s intervention comes as questions about the future of Nigerian football are already at the centre of national debate. His promise, if implemented, would require cooperation between the federal government, the NFF, clubs, state football associations, schools, private investors and other sporting institutions. Qualification for the World Cup is ultimately determined through sporting performance and competition, meaning a president cannot guarantee qualification by executive decision alone.
A federal government can, however, influence sporting facilities, youth programmes, funding structures, governance standards and policies affecting athletes. Sowore said his administration would provide the infrastructure and environment necessary for athletes to develop and represent Nigeria successfully.
He also linked sports investment to youth development. According to him, sporting events can help young Nigerians become international ambassadors while creating employment and commercial opportunities. He argued that the sports industry could become a significant contributor to the national economy if Nigeria developed the necessary infrastructure and professional systems.
His comments come as political parties and candidates prepare for the 2027 presidential election. Sowore, who previously contested the presidency in 2019 and 2023, is again seeking the presidency under the AAC and has positioned himself as an alternative to established political parties. His campaign has combined political reform messages with proposals focused on economic opportunity, public services and youth participation.
The World Cup pledge also carries political significance because football has a large following across Nigeria. The Super Eagles’ failure to qualify for the 2026 tournament generated widespread disappointment, while the women’s failure to reach the 2027 competition added to concerns about the direction of the sport. For many supporters, qualification is not simply a sporting objective but a matter of national pride.
Sowore did not provide a detailed timetable or funding figure for the proposed sports infrastructure programme during his remarks in Enugu. He also did not explain what specific changes he would make to the NFF or how his government would separate political administration from the technical management of national teams.
His broader argument was that Nigeria’s sporting potential has been held back by poor administration and insufficient support. He said the country had the talent to perform better and that government should create conditions in which athletes, coaches and sporting organisations can succeed.
For the World Cup specifically, an eight-year presidency beginning after the 2027 election would cover qualification campaigns for the 2030 and 2034 men’s tournaments. The pledge is therefore a political commitment rather than an immediate promise concerning the 2026 competition, which Nigeria has already failed to reach.
Whether the proposal can be achieved would depend on the effectiveness of any future government’s sports policies and, crucially, on the performance of Nigeria’s national teams in FIFA qualification competitions. Presidential authority cannot guarantee sporting results, but investment, administration and long-term development can influence the conditions in which teams compete.
For now, Sowore has placed sports firmly among the issues he intends to campaign on ahead of the 2027 election. His promise that Nigeria would not miss a World Cup throughout an eight-year presidency offers a clear political message at a time when Nigerian football is facing one of its most serious administrative and competitive crises in years. The proposal will now be judged against the broader programme he presents to Nigerian voters.
📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com
✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com | 📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters News | 🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNew | 📸 Instagram: @stonereportersnews
Add comment
Comments