From Premium Times Nigeria · Press Release · · 3m
Messi’s retirement: FCTA ex-spokesman proposes FIFA Over-40 World Cup
FCTA ex-spokesman suggests FIFA Over-40 World Cup to keep retired football stars visible.
In brief
FCTA ex-spokesman suggests FIFA Over-40 World Cup to keep retired football stars visible. Nosike Ogbuenyi, former FCTA spokesman, proposed FIFA Over-40 World Cup for retired footballers to stay in public view after retirement. Originally reported by Premium Times Nigeria.
Quick answers
- Why now?
- Ogbuenyi said he first started nursing this idea when Jay Jay Okocha retired about 15 years ago but waited for Messi’s retirement to submit the proposal.
- What is the key takeaway from Messi’s retirement: FCTA ex-spokesman proposes FIFA Over-40 World Cup?
- Nosike Ogbuenyi, former FCTA spokesman, proposed FIFA Over-40 World Cup for retired footballers to stay in public view after retirement.
FCTA ex-spokesman proposes FIFA Over-40 World Cup
Nosike Ogbuenyi, a former spokesman for the Federal Capital Territory Administration, has asked FIFA to introduce an Over-40 World Cup for retired international footballers.
Proposal submitted via Nigeria Football Federation
Ogbuenyi submitted the proposal to FIFA through the Nigeria Football Federation secretariat in Abuja on Thursday.
Tournament for players aged 40 to 65
The competition would include players aged 40 to 65 who have represented their countries at the senior international level.
Goal: keep retired stars visible
Ogbuenyi said the tournament would help retired footballers stay in the public eye after retirement and provide additional income.
Inspired by Messi’s retirement
Ogbuenyi said Messi’s retirement created the most auspicious time to submit this proposal after the Argentine forward retired on Tuesday, 6 October 2026.
List of potential participants
Ogbuenyi listed 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…
Why now?
Ogbuenyi said he first started nursing this idea when Jay Jay Okocha retired about 15 years ago but waited for Messi’s retirement to submit the proposal.
Ogbuenyi’s motivation
Ogbuenyi stated he has no personal interest in the proposal and is motivated by his passion for the game to make the world happier through more football entertainment.
Expected FIFA response
Ogbuenyi expressed confidence that FIFA would evaluate and approve the proposal to offer another way to celebrate former players and promote football.
Ogbuenyi’s background
Ogbuenyi currently works as an assistant editor at PREMIUM TIMES and has previously worked with Daily Champion, The Comet, The Sun, and ThisDay newspapers.
Additional benefits
Ogbuenyi argued the tournament could help former internationals stay connected to their countries and contribute to developing younger players and the wider game.
Age cheating prevention
Ogbuenyi suggested the tournament could discourage age cheating in youth and senior football categories by giving players another age-based competition to aspire to.
Commercial viability
Ogbuenyi cited potential revenue from television rights and corporate partnerships as reasons FIFA could find the tournament commercially viable.
What happens next
FIFA is expected to evaluate and approve the proposal to create a new tournament for retired football stars.
The takeaway
Nosike Ogbuenyi, former FCTA spokesman, proposed FIFA Over-40 World Cup for retired footballers to stay in public view after retirement.
