FCTA ex-spokesman proposes FIFA Over-40 World Cup

A former spokesman for the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), Nosike Ogbuenyi, has requested the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) to introduce an Over-40 World Cup in order that retired worldwide footballers can maintain showcasing their expertise.

Mr Ogbuenyi stated he submitted a proposal to FIFA by means of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) secretariat in Abuja on Thursday.

He stated the competitors, proposed for gamers aged 40 to 65, would give followers extra alternatives to observe a few of soccer’s most celebrated gamers lengthy after they retire from typical skilled soccer.

“The introduction of the FIFA Over-40 World Cup will enable the football-loving world to continue to watch the best of all times on the field of play for a longer period,” he stated.

Mr Ogbuenyi, who served twice as particular assistant on media to the FCT minister, stated the proposal was impressed partly by the retirement of among the recreation’s largest names and the problem followers face in maintaining with former stars after their taking part in careers.

“Here in Nigeria, we have seen our most talented and best of all times retire and become less visible publicly. We, the football fans, find it difficult to keep track of our legends and stars like Jay Jay Okocha, Kanu Nwankwo, Victor Ikpeba, Emmanuel Amunike, Obafemi Martins, Vincent Enyeama and John Obi Mikel,” he stated.

Beyond Nigeria, he listed a number of former and present gamers whom he believes followers wish to see return to the pitch in a veterans’ competitors. They embody Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Angel Di Maria, Gabriel Batistuta, Michael Owen, David Beckham, Andres Iniesta, Sergio Ramos, Xavi, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Ronaldinho, Ronaldo de Lima, Roberto Carlos, Didier Drogba, Samuel Eto’o, Zinedine Zidane and Thierry Henry.

Others on his checklist embody Oliver Kahn, Miroslav Klose, Manuel Neuer, Lothar Matthäus and Keisuke Honda.

Proposed guidelines, advantages

Mr Ogbuenyi stated the proposed event might promote health amongst former gamers, present an extra revenue supply, and maintain them within the public eye after retirement.

He additionally argued it might assist former internationals keep related to their nations and contribute to creating youthful gamers and the broader recreation.

According to him, the competitors would give skilled footballers a clearer pathway after leaving the bodily demanding atmosphere of youth and senior soccer, whereas permitting supporters to comply with their idols for longer.

He additional steered that the event might discourage age dishonest in youth and senior soccer classes by giving gamers one other age-based competitors to aspire to.

On eligibility, Mr Ogbuenyi proposed that gamers be between 40 and 65 years outdated and have represented their nations on the senior worldwide stage. He additionally stated gamers ought to retire from senior worldwide soccer earlier than representing their nations within the veterans’ competitors.

He argued the event could possibly be commercially viable for FIFA, citing potential income from tv rights and company partnerships, given the prospect of bringing collectively among the recreation’s most recognisable names.

Why now?

Mr Ogbuenyi stated Messi’s retirement, the Argentine ahead and eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, created a possibility to attract consideration to his proposal.

“I’ve discovered this era of the retirement of the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, Lionel Messi, probably the most auspicious time to submit this proposal. As the enduring Argentine footballer bowed out after a 21-year worldwide soccer profession on Tuesday, 6 October 2026, I stored questioning what the soccer world would appear to be if FIFA created a brand new event that might permit talismanic gamers reminiscent of Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Jay Jay Okocha, Kanu Nwankwo and others to proceed to exhibit their expertise on the worldwide stage.

“In fact, I first started nursing this idea when Jay Jay Okocha, Nigeria’s most adored football prodigy, retired about 15 years ago. But I had to wait for this moment of Messi’s retirement to submit the proposal because of the anticipated global momentum.”

He stated he had no private curiosity within the proposal and was motivated by his ardour for the sport.

“I am not making any claims for bringing up this idea and putting it across through this proposal to FIFA. I am just writing as a football fan who wants the world to be happier through more football games entertainment.”

Mr Ogbuenyi expressed confidence that FIFA would consider and approve the proposal, which he believes might provide one other method to have a good time former gamers and promote the sport.

He presently works as an assistant editor at PREMIUM TIMES. He has beforehand labored with Daily Champion, The Comet, The Sun, and ThisDay newspapers.