Nigeria isn't at the FIFA World Cup 2026. That much is painfully clear. But Nigerians are all over it — scoring goals for other countries, headlining the opening ceremony, and singing the official theme song.

Burna Boy performed the World Cup theme song, Dai Dai, alongside Shakira at the opening ceremony. Their mix of Colombian gyration and Afrobeat energy drew millions of eyes. Rema headlined the opening ceremony in Los Angeles alongside Lisa and Annita, performing his song Goals at the SoFi Stadium. That show pulled a record 24.9 million US viewers.

The opening game itself — Mexico vs South Africa at the Estadio Azteca — was watched by an estimated 1.2 billion people worldwide. In the US alone, 12.1 million viewers tuned in across platforms, making it the most-watched World Cup opener ever. Marshall McLuhan's 'global village' has arrived, and television is its main square.

But Nigeria's absence from the tournament is a self-inflicted wound. The article blames the country's football administrators, saying their personal fortunes are prioritised over results. Players like Victor Osimhen, Alex Iwobi, and Ademola Lookman — stars who could've lit up the tournament — are watching from home.

The lyrics of Dai Dai sting: You knew from the day you were born / That here in this place you belong / You been this brave all along / What broke you once made you strong. The piece argues that Nigeria's football system breaks its young talents instead of making them strong.

Rema's Goals lyrics rub it in: From Nigeria to Monaco / Anywhere the mission dey tell me I / go show, I go show / Original baller, no dagbo. The swagger is there. The team isn't.

  • 48 national teams are playing across Mexico, Canada, and the United States
  • Opening game: Mexico beat South Africa 2-0; South Africa received two red cards
  • 1.2 billion people watched the opening match globally
  • 12.1 million US viewers — record for a World Cup opener
  • 24.9 million US viewers watched Rema's opening ceremony performance
  • Burna Boy and Shakira performed the theme song Dai Dai
  • Rema, Lisa, and Annita performed Goals at SoFi Stadium
  • Nigeria failed to qualify for the tournament

"You knew from the day you were born / That here in this place you belong / You been this brave all along / What broke you once made you strong."

The world is watching. Nigeria isn't there. But Nigerians are everywhere — on stage, on screen, and on other national teams. The question the article leaves hanging: when will they get to play for their own country again?