Sports
VIEWING centre operators in Kwara have expressed concern over low patronage during the ongoing 2026 FIFA World Cup co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
The operators, who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Ilorin, attributed the poor turnout largely to Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the tournament.
Deji Aina, a viewing centre operator in the Amilegbe area of Ilorin, said patronage had fallen far below expectations.
“People are showing little interest in watching the matches, unlike what we used to experience in the past when viewing centres would be filled to capacity during the World Cup,” he said.
Similarly, Aliyu Muritala, who operates a viewing centre in the Taiwo area, said the absence of the Super Eagles had negatively affected turnout.
“Most people are not interested because the Super Eagles failed to qualify.
“The turnout is too low and it is affecting our business,” he said.
Also speaking, another operator, Samson Adeolu, described the situation as the poorest turnout he had experienced during a World Cup competition.
According to him, patronage has dropped significantly compared to previous tournaments.
“My centre used to accommodate more than 70 people during previous World Cups and major European football competitions.
“Now, I only get about seven or eight viewers in spite of the fact that it is the World Cup. It is seriously affecting our business,” he said.
Another operator, Segun Abolarin, from Ganmo, said he initially attributed the low turnout to the time difference between Nigeria and the host countries.
He, however, noted that even matches played at more convenient hours had failed to attract large audiences.
“Most of us paid for full subscription packages with the hope of making profits, but we are now disappointed.
“We spent heavily on DStv subscriptions without getting the expected returns,” he said.
Some football fans also linked their lack of interest in the tournament to Nigeria’s absence from the competition.
Godwin Olusegun said he had deliberately chosen not to follow the tournament because the Super Eagles were not participating.
“I am disappointed that Nigeria is not participating, so I decided not to follow the World Cup,” he said.
Another football fan, Ahmed Yusuf, said he had not watched any match since the tournament began.
According to him, both the time difference and Nigeria’s absence have reduced his interest in the competition.
“I cannot go out at midnight to watch a match involving countries I have no attachment to.
“Since Nigeria is not playing, I do not see the need to spend my time watching the matches,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 2026 FIFA World Cup is being hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico. (NAN)
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