A former spokesman of the Federal Capital Territory Administration, Nosike Ogbuenyi, has proposed a FIFA Over-40 World Cup to give retired international footballers another chance to showcase their skills. The proposed competition, for players aged 40-65, would allow football fans to enjoy the talents of celebrated stars beyond their international careers. Ogbuenyi submitted the proposal to FIFA through the Nigeria Football Federation secretariat in Abuja. He believes the tournament could provide a new platform for former internationals, promote fitness, and keep football legends connected to the game.
The proposal comes after Lionel Messi's retirement from international football on October 6, 2026. Ogbuenyi notes that the departure of iconic players from international football often leaves supporters with limited opportunities to watch them in competitive action. He cites former Super Eagles stars like Austin "Jay-Jay" Okocha, Nwankwo Kanu, and John Obi Mikel as examples of players whose skills remain memorable to supporters. The proposed tournament could give such players another chance to represent Nigeria, reconnect with fans, and contribute to the game's development.
Ogbuenyi's proposal is not limited to Nigerian players but aims to bring together former international stars from across the world. He lists several international football icons who could attract global attention, including Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Zinedine Zidane, and Thierry Henry. The participation of globally recognised names could help the tournament attract television audiences and commercial partners. However, their involvement would depend on eligibility, willingness to participate, fitness, and the competition's rules.
Ogbuenyi proposes that the competition be restricted to footballers aged 40-65, creating a dedicated platform for mature veteran players. Participation would be limited to players who had represented their countries at senior international level, and a footballer would need to retire from senior international football before becoming eligible to represent their country in the veterans' category. These rules would require further consideration of issues like player fitness, medical assessments, and match duration.
The proposed Over-40 World Cup could provide several benefits, including promoting fitness, keeping former footballers in the public eye, and providing an additional source of income. Ogbuenyi believes retirement from international football should not mean the end of a player's public contribution to the sport. The competition could help former stars maintain their connection with national teams and contribute to younger generations through mentorship and experience-sharing.
The proposal has the potential to provide a clearer transition pathway for professional footballers after leaving the more physically demanding environment of youth and senior international football. For fans, it would offer another opportunity to watch their favourite players in competitive action. Ogbuenyi's idea is centred on creating another avenue for former international players to continue representing their countries, rather than simply extending the existing senior World Cup.
The proposal remains an idea submitted for consideration, and FIFA has not announced its approval or plans to organise such a tournament. If adopted, the rules would require further consideration of various issues to ensure that players across a wide age range could compete safely and fairly. The age limit would also raise questions about handling players who remain active at club level after ending their international careers.
Key points
- The proposed FIFA Over-40 World Cup aims to give retired international footballers another chance to showcase their skills.
- The competition would be restricted to footballers aged 40-65 who have represented their countries at senior international level.
- The proposed tournament could provide benefits like promoting fitness, keeping former footballers in the public eye, and providing an additional source of income.
