5 Nigerians on Their Expectations for the 2026 World Cup

16 years ago, the rest of the world turned eyes to Soccer City Stadium in Johannesburg for the opening game of the 2010 World Cup: South Africa vs Mexico. That Tshabalala goal became the shot of legends, ascending to popular culture royalty almost immediately. For Africans, it was an all-timer festival football. Ghana vs Uruguay in the quarterfinals went down to the wire, with Asamoah Gyan’s infamous miskick and Luis Suarez’s ‘Hand of God’ recreation stalling what could have been record-breaking placement for Africa. For Nigerians, it was a fourth, mostly immemorable outing. 

On 11 June 2026, South Africa and Mexico took the stage once again in a recreation of that match as the 2026 FIFA World Cup began in Central America. The USA, Mexico, and Canada are currently hosts to the world’s footballing nations in a historic Mundial. 10 African nations vie for the world’s most coveted trophy. Not Nigeria, though. Sad, but far from the worst sports fortunes we’ve faced in recent times. 

In the spirit of the World Cup, Culture Custodian spoke to 5 football enthusiasts about their expectations, watch plans, and African teams they are supporting. Enjoy! 

Adedapo Adesanya (M), Reporter and Sports aficionado

What I’m looking forward to, really,  is good football. I want to see what the extended 48-team format would look like. Will it be an issue, or will it give teams enough time to settle down, train, and play. I also want to see success stories that have been brewing. 

I also want to see the spread. We have a lot of players in the top leagues, in Asia, and in the Americas. I want to see the strength and disparity in the level of talents and discover new ones. The World Cup has been marred by politics as it’s being held in a very protectionist environment, and it’s impacting the positivity around the World Cup. 

Getting my subscription ready because I’ve been a huge fan of the World Cup ever since I was conscious enough: from ’98 till this one, which would be my 7th World Cup. I plan to follow it on television and, of course, possibly have special watch parties with friends at their places or my place, or even go to a viewing center to get a more competitive environment, as I did during the Champions League Final. I also plan on working around my schedule. Working a lot at night and resting during the day because of the flexibility of my profession.

I’ll be rooting for Senegal. I believe Senegal is the best success story in Africa. And that’s evident in the way they have been winning the cadet tournaments like the U17, U23, which shows that they have a succession path in place. For me, they’re the best team on the continent. I’m also sort of looking at Morocco, although I will be rooting against them. Egypt too. My prediction is that there’ll be 3 African teams in the R016.

Hodovai Ekpe-Iko (M), Culture Journalist

What I’m looking forward to the most is really just football. I’m a United fan. This has been a good season. But still, we had Arsenal winning the Premier League, and they have not done so in 22 years. So I need all of that noise out the window. It’s just like an escape from all of that. Plus, a showcase of culture, talent, and a chance to spot new players. After good World Cups, you see breakout stars get good moves. It’s sad Nigeria is not here, but we still have to find ways to make it fun.

I’m really busy now, so I’ll just create time to follow the games actively and maybe on weekends or periods where I don’t have much to do, I can watch a couple games. Again, with the time frame—you know how some games are by 8 PM and some by 3 AM—I watch basketball too so that’s not an issue. But it has to be a proper game that needs me to be awake.

The team I’m rooting for the most is Senegal. We saw them lift the AFCON. Even though they had to cancel and award the title to Morocco. They have a very strong squad, from Edouard Mendy to Koulibaly in defence. Their attack is easily the best in Africa: Sadio Mane, Iliman Ndiaye, and Ismaila Sarr, including their manager. It’s a good group of experience, youthful energy, and flair. They’re the African team I’m tipping to go the farthest. I know there’s Morocco, but I’m looking to see what Senegal has for me.

Mahbubat Kanyinsola (F), Sports Journalist

I support quite a number of players, even non-African players. The one thing I’m looking forward to the most is Brazil lifting the World Cup. Brazil is a favourite, but there are also countries that stand a higher chance like France, Argentina, and England. This will definitely be my best World Cup if I can see Brazil lift their 6th World Cup. Looking forward to experiencing the thrill and excitement that I felt when I watched my first World Cup in 2018. 

Basically, I have 2 ways of doing that [watching the World Cup]: The first is that I intend to watch the matches that I can on my phone. Normally, it would have been me going to the viewing centres in Ibadan to watch, but Nigeria  is 6 hours ahead of the US. The majority of the matches are late so there’s no way I’m going to the viewing centres. But the very few ones that I’m able to watch during the day, I’ll definitely watch those at the viewing centres. That’s where the whole fun and excitement is: the cheers, the boos, the banter.

It’s difficult to choose between Morocco and Senegal. I’m going for these two because, if you had to compare them to other African countries, their standing cannot be underestimated. They have better chances of going further in the World Cup, even though it’s been a while since Senegal went past the group stage. I do not see them among the contenders to win, but I see them going far.

There’s this sort of unity that  Africans just have. Recall back in the 2010 World Cup when Ghana reached the QF against Uruguay, all the other African teams were out, but we supported them. This is one of the very few times where you’ll see African teams support another against their own.

Araoluwakishi (F), Culture enthusiast 

I’m looking forward to Rashford. I’m not necessarily gunning for England, but I want to see his performance because of the controversy surrounding his transfer. If he performs, it will open many opportunities for him. Other than not, I’m really not looking forward to it [the World Cup]

I wasn’t looking forward to watching [the World Cup], exactly because of the controversies surrounding the World Cup. Nigeria is very football-centric. Maybe it’s because we didn’t qualify, but it’s not just that exciting for me this time around. If there’s anything important, I’ll see it on Twitter.

I’m rooting for Senegal. Apart from the fact that they are West African, they are the most relatable. I don’t know why I’m not rooting for Ghana, to be honest. I used to know a Ghanaian player, but he wasn’t called up. So yes, the Senegalese.

Kevin Omachonu (M), Sports Journalist

I’m looking forward to Argentina defending the trophy, Lamine Yamal winning, or France failing. I think there will be a lot of football games. Over the years, there’s been a shift in how football is played. I think the changes to the FIFA Rules will ensure there’s exciting football. Over the years, football has been notorious for having the ball out of play a lot. But now that FIFA has made these changes, it will make the World Cup a bit more interesting.

I’m going to be following the games from the Nigerian angle. Spending a lot of time outside at bars, lounges, watching these games. I’m following how Nigerian players react. And also, like the players of Nigerian origin in this tournament. I’ll be looking forward to seeing how they improve.”

I’m also rooting for the Ivory Coast. I like how they play. They have talented players on the team like Amad Diallo, so I think they should be able to do well. Senegal too. They’re one of the two champions of Africa (technically, we don’t know who the real champion of Africa is yet). I hope Morocco doesn’t do well.