Nigeria misses World Cup again, but fans gear up as Argentina leads contenders list
Nigeria's Super Eagles miss the FIFA World Cup for the second straight time after failing to qualify following their playoff loss before Qatar 2022 and another unsuccessful campaign. Despite the absence, millions of Nigerians from Lagos to Kano, Port Harcourt to Enugu will still follow the tournament passionately, adopting favorite teams and players.
The tournament kicks off in seven days (June 12, 2026), with Argentina leading as reigning champions at 9/10 winning probability. France follows at 8.8/10, Portugal at 8.5/10, Brazil at 8.2/10, England at 7.8/10, Spain at 7.5/10, and Germany at 7/10. Each team brings distinct strengths: Argentina's mentality, France's squad depth, Portugal's technical quality, Brazil's individual brilliance, England's attacking variety, Spain's possession, and Germany's tournament experience.
As neutral observers, will you back Argentina's defense of the crown, France's quest to reclaim glory, or another contender? How will you engage with the matches—through watch parties, online streams, or community discussions?