Speaking during an interview on Trust TV on Wednesday, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) chieftain also renewed his criticism of Nigeria’s fuel subsidy system, describing it as what he called “an organised crime against the country.”

The former Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 general election questioned the credibility of Nigeria’s reported fuel consumption figures, arguing that available evidence does not support the claims.

According to Obi, the subsidy framework has enabled widespread abuse and fraud, insisting that such practices would be completely eliminated under his leadership.

“Subsidy is organised crime and I won’t allow any form of criminality as the President of Nigeria. The amount of fuel they say we consume cannot be consumed by this country, there’s empirical evidence,” he said.

He further compared Nigeria’s fuel usage with Pakistan, noting that although both countries are similar in population size and infrastructure, Pakistan reportedly consumes significantly less fuel.

“We are about the same as Pakistan; they have more roads, and we probably have the same number of vehicles, or they have even more, yet their fuel consumption is a third of ours, so who is drinking the balance?” Obi asked.

Obi, alongside other major contenders in the 2023 presidential election, had earlier supported subsidy removal, describing it as unsustainable. President Bola Tinubu later announced the immediate removal of the subsidy upon assuming office on May 29, 2023.

The policy led to a sharp increase in fuel prices and transport costs nationwide, with Nigerians still feeling its economic impact.

Obi has, however, maintained that beyond subsidy removal, the government must fully investigate fuel consumption figures and address leakages within the system.

Speaking to BBC Sport on Wednesday, Taj addressed mounting diplomatic tensions and travel restrictions ahead of the competition, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

“Our host is FIFA, not Mr Trump or America,” Taj said, insisting that Iran qualified for the tournament and expects to participate under FIFA’s jurisdiction rather than political influence from Donald Trump or the US government.

The remarks come after reports that Iranian football officials were denied entry to a FIFA Congress in Canada due to alleged links with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), an organisation classified as a terrorist group by several countries.

Taj, who has previously confirmed his own past service in the IRGC, stated that Iran is demanding clear assurances that its delegation and national symbols will be respected during the World Cup.

“If they guarantee not to insult our military institutions and the IRGC, we’ll go,” he said regarding Iran’s participation and travel arrangements.

FIFA has already expressed regret over the visa dispute and invited Iranian officials to talks in Zurich as preparations continue. FIFA President Gianni Infantino has reaffirmed that Iran remains scheduled to compete and will take part in the tournament as planned.

The controversy unfolds amid ongoing tensions between Tehran and Washington, with US authorities maintaining that individuals linked to the IRGC will not be granted entry.

Iran, however, insists that football should remain separate from politics, stressing that its qualification must be honoured regardless of diplomatic disputes.

“We are going to the World Cup because we qualified,” Taj said, adding that while Iran may boycott the United States politically, it will not withdraw from the competition.

The governing body expressed strong disappointment after the Melbourne Arts Precinct rejected plans for live screenings, citing previous incidents involving unsafe fan behaviour.

Football Australia chief executive Martin Kugeler said the decision goes against Melbourne’s identity as a sporting and multicultural hub.

“The FIFA World Cup is the biggest sporting event in the world and unites Australia’s multicultural communities, while reinforcing our national identity,” Kugeler said.

He added that public viewing sites create memorable moments for fans and argued that Melbourne, known for its sporting culture, should not be stepping away from such traditions.

However, Melbourne Arts Precinct chief executive Katrina Sedgwick defended the ban, telling the Australian Broadcasting Corporation that safety concerns were the main reason behind the move.

She said the issue stemmed from a small number of fans whose behaviour had become “antisocial and dangerous,” pointing to past incidents involving flares and fireworks at crowded screenings.

Sedgwick noted that during one Socceroos viewing event, more than 100 flares and fireworks were set off in Federation Square, raising serious safety concerns.

The controversy comes as Australia prepares for the 2026 World Cup, where the national team will face Turkey in Vancouver, the United States in Seattle, and Paraguay in California during the group stage.

Former Socceroo Craig Foster also criticised the decision, urging stakeholders to work together to overturn what he described as an “absurd” ban.