Former Super Eagles captain, William Troost-Ekong, has said Nigeria’s absence from the 2026 FIFA World Cup remains a major disappointment, insisting the Super Eagles must treat the setback as an important lesson and make the necessary changes to return to football’s biggest stage.
Speaking in an interview granted to SuperSport, the former Watford defender said watching African teams perform impressively at the ongoing tournament in North America had filled him with both pride and frustration, as he believes Nigeria had the quality to have made a significant impact had they qualified.
Nigeria failed to reach the 2026 World Cup after an inconsistent qualifying campaign, extending the country’s absence from the global showpiece to a second consecutive edition.
Troost-Ekong said the disappointment of missing out had only strengthened the players’ resolve to see Nigeria return to the tournament.
“I think the motivation has always been there. All of us are incredibly eager to see Nigeria back at the World Cup, and missing out again only increases that desire,” he said.
The defender maintained that the Super Eagles possessed the talent and experience needed to compete with the world’s best teams, pointing to the growing maturity within the squad.
“I would have loved to see Nigeria there because, when you watch the African teams performing so well, you cannot help but think Nigeria would also have put in a strong performance,” he said.
“Looking at the quality and talent within the squad, I believe they would have been ready. Many of the players have matured, and some also gained valuable experience at the 2018 World Cup.”
Reflecting on the lessons from the failed campaign, Troost-Ekong said Nigeria should treat the disappointment as a turning point rather than another missed opportunity, stressing the need for the team to reassess its preparations before the next qualifying cycle begins.
