Nigerians have been left amused and a little hopeful after ChatGPT, OpenAI’s popular artificial intelligence tool, predicted that the Super Eagles will win the FIFA World Cup in 2058.
The bold prediction has sparked massive reactions online, with many fans finding the idea both hilarious and depressing.
According to One Football in a post on X, the Super Eagles have been tipped to win the FIFA World Cup in 2058, four years after Italy in 2054.
Argentina has been tipped to retain the 2026 FIFA World Cup, while Brazil (2030), France (2034), Germany (2038), Spain (2042), England (2046), and the Netherlands (2050) are backed to win subsequent tournaments.
ChatGPT predicts Argentina will win back-to-back World Cup titles 🏆 pic.twitter.com/y4EqvUm3Dz
— OneFootball (@OneFootball) June 21, 2025
How has Nigeria fared at the World Cup?
The year 2058 is 33 years away, and for a football-loving nation that has long yearned for international glory, the timeline feels like a cruel joke.
Nigeria, a country known for its raw football talent and passionate supporters, has yet to progress beyond the Round of 16 in any World Cup appearance.
The country’s most promising runs came in 1994, 1998, and 2014, where they reached the knockout stages but fell short of further glory.
The Super Eagles made their first World Cup appearance in 1994 and have since qualified for six of the last eight editions, missing only 2006 and 2022.
How Nigerians reacted to ChatGPT’s prediction
Once the news broke, social media exploded with reactions ranging from humour to outright sarcasm.
One user tweeted:
“I saw one flag there and that’s how I know it won’t work”
Another wrote:
“Wetin Nigeria dey do for there😂😂”
Another user wrote:
“Would have believed it until I saw dirty Nigeria in there”
Some fans took it in stride, using memes and GIFs to mock the current state of the Super Eagles.
Others, however, viewed it as a challenge to the football authorities and players to start making long-term plans to prove AI wrong, or maybe right, just a little earlier.
A wake-up call for Nigeria?
While the prediction may be light-hearted, it inadvertently highlights the current struggles of the Nigerian national team.
According to FIFA.com, the Super Eagles are currently six points behind South Africa in Group C of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers and risk missing the tournament for the second time in a row.
For many, the 2058 prediction serves as a reminder that without real investment, better football management, and a working structure, Nigeria’s World Cup dream will remain a far-off fantasy.
