Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen has described Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup as a significant setback for the entire nation. The Napoli star, currently on loan at Galatasaray, expressed his frustration during a live social media session, emphasizing that the absence stings not just for him but for every player in the squad.
The 2026 World Cup is already underway, with African representatives including Ivory Coast, Morocco, Senegal, Egypt, Cape Verde, DR Congo, Tunisia, South Africa, and Algeria. Nigeria, however, is conspicuously absent after losing their playoff tie against DR Congo. Osimhen noted that watching the tournament unfold without the Super Eagles is painful, stating, “It’s bad, not just for me but for the rest of the guys.”
This marks the second consecutive World Cup that Nigeria has missed, having also failed to qualify for the 2022 edition. Reflecting on the disappointment, Osimhen called for resilience: “We have missed out twice in a row. Sometimes life happens, so we just have to keep moving.” The striker urged fans to stay hopeful and support the team as they aim to bounce back stronger in future qualifiers.