John Terry Acknowledges Nigeria’s Super Eagles’ Major Miss in the 2026 World Cup

Duro Ikhazuagbe

Former Chelsea and England captain John Terry said yesterday that Nigeria’s Super Eagles would be a major disappointment at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which begins today with Mexico and South Africa in the opening match.

Speaking at a virtual media round‑table, Terry, who is affectionately known as JT at Stamford Bridge, warned that the absence of teams like Nigeria and Cameroon—now football powerhouses on the African continent—would make the tournament feel incomplete.

“Nigeria will be a big miss. This is a World Cup for participants who haven’t had the opportunity to play in the tournament. I would have loved to see the top team, like Nigeria, be there because they’ve got some great individuals,” Terry noted, recalling his time playing alongside Nigeria’s John Mikel Obi at Chelsea.

He acknowledged that Obi is upset about the Super Eagles’ failure to qualify for the World Cup, which is being jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada and will feature ten African teams for the first time in a 48‑team format.

“I know (Mikel) Obi is very upset that they (Super Eagles) are not there. It means he can’t do more commentating on the World Cup. That’s why he was upset,” the former England captain said.

Terry is well known for criticizing England manager Thomas Tuchel’s World Cup selections.

He claimed that eleven players in England’s squad are not good enough to be included.

In May, Tuchel announced a 26‑man squad for the Three Lions, leaving out high‑profile names such as Harry Maguire, Phil Foden and Cole Palmer.

“I actually disagree, in terms of the players that Tuchel has not picked for this World Cup,” Terry said on Piers Morgan Uncensored. “Harry Maguire, being one, the first one. For me, he is a better player than Dan Burn. Luke Shaw is another one at left back. We are looking at Nico O’Reilly playing there.”

“Cole Palmer is the next big decision as well. So I think Tuchel has got it wrong in three or four big decisions on the pitch.”

“I don’t think Djed Spence is the future for England, for me. I just think you need to have your best players there. When I look at it, I am looking at the team now, there is probably 14, 15 starters.”

“When I look at the rest (11 players) of the squad around me, I am not sure they are going to push the players who are going to be playing,” the Chelsea legend added.

Over the next few days, Terry will join SuperSport’s World Cup pundit panel live from South Africa. He will be joined by former Chelsea manager Roberto Di Matteo, former Arsenal and Man City player Bacary Sagna, former Ghana star Asamoah Gyan and former Arsenal and Ivory Coast star Salomon Kalou, among others, as they analyze the 104 matches to be played in North America this summer.