JOHN OBI MIKEL BIO

John Obi Mikel is a former captain of the Nigeria national team, two-time FIFA World Cup™ veteran with the Super Eagles and a Chelsea FC icon following a decade-long, decorated career with the club.

From 2006 to 2022, Mikel was a star defensive midfielder on the pitch participating in two FIFA World Cup tournaments in 2014 and 2018 with Nigeria. With over 240 appearances for Chelsea, Mikel is celebrated as one of Africa's most accomplished footballers, having secured multiple Premier League titles, a UEFA Champions League trophy, four FA Cups, two EFL Cups and an AFCON championship. He also won a bronze media with Nigeria at the Olympics in 2016.

Mikel currently hosts his successful podcast, The Obi One, and joins FOX Sports this summer in studio as an analyst for the network’s coverage of FIFA World Cup 2026™.