Rise of a Football God-Chapter 470: FIFA World Cup 2026 [1]

'It feels like a fever dream'. Sam thought.

He could still remember vividly when he started like it was just yesterday.

December, 2022, the Christmas game. That was where it all started.

Then, even with the system, he never expected to make it this far. All he had then was hope, and passion, raw passion for the sport.

And yet, here he was, in a plane traveling alongside the Nigerian National Football Team to represent his country in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

'Crazy,' he thought. 'Crazy man'.

This was just his 4th season as a professional football player, but Sam felt like he was already close to winning everything, especially this season.

The ballon d'Or 2026 was literally his already. The UEFA Champions league trophy was his, the la liga title was his, so many things were his now.

Heck, they called him the King of the Spotify Camp Nou.

Let's leave football. Thinking about his life in general, Sam realized how lucky he had been. He was rich now, with so much money in his bank account that he could not even use it all if he wanted.

He had a beautiful wife who loved him.

'What more can I want from life?' He thought, but he knew, he had an answer in his mind already.

'The FIFA World Cup'.

Sam had achieved it all, all that he dreamt and yearned for when he started the journey of football all the way back in 2011, in that fateful final when he was just 6 years old, running after his dad like a shadow.

And now, the only other thing he truly yearned for was the FIFA World Cup trophy.

He grinned. 'If I get that, I've completed football right?'

He put his headphones on, listening to an NF plus Eminem mixed playlist. As the songs reverberated in his head, one last thought reverberated in his head.

'Getting it won't be easy though'.

He relaxed on his seat. 'Winning the FIFA World Cup with Nigeria would be the most difficult task of my career, of my existence'.

'Can I?'

Then, he grinned. 'When did I start thinking of what if, if I can or not?'

'It doesn't matter'.

'If it is my will… who dares to stop me?'

…

The moment Sam and the Nigerian squad stepped off their flight at John F. Kennedy International Airport, they were hit by a wave of noise, color, and kinetic energy that could only mean one thing; World Cup fever had devoured the United States whole.

The terminal was bursting with life.

Flags from every corner of the world fluttered in the air; from Brazilian samba colors to German black, red, and gold, to Nigeria's bold green and white, carried proudly by a sea of fans who had made the journey across continents.

Everywhere, billboards, subway ads, skyscraper wraps, football reigned.

The World Cup fever is real, and now, it was on.

"Welcome to the 2026 FIFA World Cup!" Blared from holographic screens outside the Times Square, looping video reels of past glories and present-day superstars.

Every nation had a figure-head that dominated their billboards and posters. For Spain, it was Lamine Yamal, Pedri, and Rodri.

For Argentina? It was Lionel Messi.

Yes, Lionel Messi made it to the 2026 FIFA World Cup despite the fact that he was now playing in a retirement league in MLS.

The most shocking fact?

It was that at the prime old age of 41, the ageless legend, Cristiano Ronaldo also made the Portuguese squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. It was crazy, but it was undoubtedly the last world cup of the legendary forward.

And as for Nigeria? Of course, it was Sam.

'The King', he was dubbed in the banners and posters, his iconic Black Panther celebration frozen in midair, his name now one of global recognition.

The host cities, from New York to Lose Angeles, Atlanta to Houston, Kansas City to Miami were transformed into football citadels.

Fan zones filled public parks where giant screens awaited kickoff, surrounded by food trucks, live bands, street performers, and fans from dozens of nations chanting their country's names.

Hotels were overbooked.

Jerseys were sold out in minutes.

Children dribbled balls on sidewalks. Street corners became impromptu pitch battle zones; Ghanians facing Mexicans, Nigerians just being chill, Argentinians taunting Brazilians, laughter and rivalry in every chant.

In the Nigerian camp's hotel in Atlanta, their base city, a throng of supporters gathered outside.

They wore agbadas printed with Sam's face. Some had painted eagles across their cheeks, and they all sang a unified song, the song of victory. All the while, vuvuzelas echoed down Peachtree Street like war horns.

CNN, Sky Sports, ESPN, and SuperSport Nigeria all broadcast live around the clock. From team training sessions, to personal sessions with players, everything.

Sam's interviews ran in highlight loops.

"We're not just here to play. We're here to win. This is Africa's time".

And yet, at some point after determining that the interviews began to turn into a distraction, he spurned all interviews. He refused to take them, now fully zoned in on football with narrowed focus, will, and determination.

He was already locked in and in the zone state.

All the while, across social media, the world roared. Hashtags like #NaijaRising, #WorldCup2026, #SamTheSavior, and #BringItHome trended worldwide.

For the first time in decades in a world cup, Nigerians found their voice.

Even American networks leaned into the frenzy.

Fox Sports ran an exclusive called "The Super Eagles' Silent Storm," featuring Sam as the face of African ambition.

And yet, he didn't even show up for the show. Sam was focused on football.

While that happened, Nike also released a stirring promo. "From Lagos to Atlanta. From boy to King. This summer, we rise".

The night before the opening match, Sam stood on the hotel rooftop, overlooking Atlanta's skyline lit up in green and gold. Behind him, music pulsed from a celebratory event. Fireworks erupted in the distance.

He closed his eyes for a moment, taking it all in.

This was no longer just football.

This was war painted in joy. This was legacy in motion.

The world was watching.

And Sam?

He was ready.