SEGUN ODEGBAMI: The 2026 World Cup – my take!

The 2026 FIFA World Cup has come and gone. 

My first take-away is the painful fact that Nigeria was absent. The pain lingers. 

That the Super Eagles were not a part of an event that gripped the attention of the whole world for a period of 6 weeks was a nightmare Nigerians must wake up from. The administration that failed the country must not return to power under any circumstance. Coaches are sacked, Players are dropped and Administrators voluntarily ‘retire’ or are shown the way out! Under no circumstances must the people that failed the country remain and sustain their unproductive, administrative prescription. Nigeria must not reward glaring failure. There must be No room for sentiments! 

In the midst of the excitement and entertainment of the matches during the World Cup, most other activities in the world receded to the background, giving way to the exhilarating drama of football matches that left humanity on the edge of their seats, night after night, for almost 6weeks. 

The power of football in the world was in full display. It confirms once again that sport is not just a powerful tool in the world, but has the power to change the world, for good. 

For 6 weeks, football brought all of humanity together (friends and enemies alike), uniting them in the ecstasy of wins (and losses) experienced in this highly unpredictable football game. 

People set aside their differences, hugging and kissing, fraternizing and ‘fighting’ without guns at venues spread around North America, celebrating friendship, peace and heroes of football.

The past 6 weeks have been a long global ‘vacation’ for many people, even in the countries that did not have teams at the event. Everybody joined in the festival. 

Now, it has all ended. 

The 2026 World Cup may be the biggest single social event in history. More countries than ever before participated. More matches than ever were played. Attendance at the matches may be the highest in history. The media (particularly television) coverage was unprecedented. The broadcast was the most technologically sophisticated ever, with more eyes (cameras) covering every inch of grass on the field of play, and recording every action from every conceivable angle. Technology took over the ultimate decision-making on the field of play, even as some referees still demonstrated frailty in human judgment. Their inconsistency raised issues of bias, incompetency and powerful external influences. 

Africa’s representatives did very well. 9 out of the 10 crossed the Group stage into the round of 32 where all but two became separated from the ‘men’ that progressed to the round of 16. 

Most of the African teams put up great performances that showed clearly that the continent is fast closing up at the top hierarchy of world football. Losing in very close encounters against ‘giants’ was a clear indication and great advertisement. 

The domestic leagues were a determinant of progress. Countries with some of the best leagues eventually progressed to the latter stages of the competition, another clear indication that the championship is won not by accident but by consistent superior performance. 

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The final match saw two teams with two traditions emerge – the best of South America and the best of Europe. 

In the end, deservedly, Europe won! 

Spain, the country with one of the biggest and best leagues and clubs in the world, hosting some of the best players on the planet, got to the finals. Argentina, with a huge football tradition, solid experience about how to win difficult matches at this level, and with the contributions of the greatest football player in history, Lionel Messi, playing an individual game unknown in the history of football, also worked their way to the final match. 

In the end, the better team won. Argentina had not played well throughout the championship. They won all their matches because of the same orthodox style the deployed, the presence of Messi and plenty of luck at the tail end of matches. 

Only God knows what would have happened even in the finals had the team not played the last quarter with one man less! 

All of that is history now.

Spain has, deservedly, played their established ‘tiki taka’. 

The baton of individual greatness was handed to a new kid-on-the-block by the outgoing god – Lionel Messi. Lamin Yamal heralds a new beginning and a new star. 

At the same time, my revelation of the World Cup is a quiet ‘general’ in the heart of the Spanish team, a Libero, the man who orchestrated every move, controlled the pace and tempo of the midfield, transited elegantly from defense to attack, kept the ball jealousy, passed with super precision, and cut out Lionel Messi almost effortlessly and flawlessly. 

Rodri is the new King of football. The Manchester City FC playmaker makes the game look so simple, very elegant and absolutely beautiful. The Captain of Spain is my player of the 2026 World Cup!