By Ayo Akinfe
With FIFA looking to expand the 2030 World Cup to a 64-team tournament, Nigeria should seize the opportunity to host the 2038 edition in conjunction with Ghana and Cameroon. This would be the kind of “big bang” launching pad our economy desperately needs.
In 1977, Nigeria hosted Festac, and it put us firmly on the world map. The National Theatre and Festac Town remain as lasting infrastructure from that event. As Kenneth Kaunda once said: “Sports is power.” Success in sports opens doors for societal progress, and Nigeria must begin to understand this.
The 2022 World Cup gave Qatar a massive boost, while Mexico is already attracting investors and tourists ahead of its hosting duties. Nigeria too can use football to attract global attention. Back in 1977, everyone wanted to be associated with Nigeria — even icons like Muhammad Ali and Pelé traced their roots here. Hosting the World Cup would revive that aura.
Nigeria should submit a joint bid with Ghana and Cameroon. Ghana can provide Accra, Kumasi, and Sekondi-Takoradi; Cameroon can offer Yaoundé, Douala, and Garoua; while Nigeria would provide 20 stadia. We must upgrade facilities in Onikan, Surulere, Remo, Abeokuta, Ibadan, Benin, Warri, Asaba, Enugu, Owerri, Awka, Abakaliki, Port Harcourt, Calabar, Uyo, Abuja, Katsina, Jos, Ilorin, and Makurdi — each expanded to 80,000 seats. Private sector capital can be attracted, just as Qatar did.
Hosting the World Cup would also force Nigeria to expand infrastructure. FIFA requires host cities to be accessible by road, rail, and air. This would mean significant upgrades in at least 18 Nigerian cities. Beyond infrastructure, we should aim to win the tournament. Brazil gave us Samba Football, the Dutch Total Football, Spain Tiki-Taka. Nigeria must now brand its style — Palm Wine Football — built on pace, counter-attacks, physicality, and athleticism.
Back in the 1990s, when Okocha, Kanu, Finidi, Taribo, Amokachi, and Oliseh dazzled the world, Europeans proudly wore our green-white-green jerseys. Hosting the World Cup would reignite that passion. We need an iconic kit that fans will buy globally , perhaps a unique green version of Croatia’s checkered jersey. This would fund football development and cement Nigeria’s identity on the world stage.
The 2038 World Cup could be Nigeria’s Festac moment for the 21st century , a chance to showcase our culture, attract investment, and build lasting infrastructure.
ayoakinfe@gmail.com
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