Former Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong has urged Nigerian football authorities to use the country’s failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup as the catalyst for sweeping reforms, insisting the latest disappointment must lay the foundation for a successful return to football’s biggest stage in 2030.
Nigeria missed out on the ongoing tournament in the United States, Mexico and Canada after suffering a penalty shoot-out defeat to the DR Congo national football team in the final of the African play-offs. It is the second successive World Cup the three-time African champions have failed to qualify for, having last featured at the 2018 finals in Russia.
Speaking to SuperSport, the 31-year-old defender admitted the pain of watching another World Cup from the sidelines but insisted the setback should serve as a wake-up call rather than a cause for despair.
“I think the motivation has always been there,” Troost-Ekong said. “All of us are incredibly eager to see Nigeria back at the World Cup, and missing out again only increases that desire. 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.”
The centre-back, who has made more than 70 appearances for the Super Eagles, believes Nigeria still possesses the quality to compete with the world’s best. He pointed to the experience gained by senior players and the emergence of a new generation of talent across Europe’s top leagues as reasons for optimism.
“Looking at the quality and talent within the squad, I believe they would have been ready,” he said. “Many of the players have matured, and some also gained valuable experience at the 2018 World Cup.”
However, Troost-Ekong stressed that talent alone will not be enough to restore Nigeria’s place among the world’s elite. He called on the Nigeria Football Federation to adopt a long-term strategy focused on youth development, coaching, technical planning, player welfare and improved preparation for major qualification campaigns.
“It would have been wonderful to see them compete, but I also think this serves as an important lesson,” he added. “We need to reflect on our preparation and identify what needs to change in order to reach the next level ahead of the next World Cup. The players will continue working hard, sharing ideas, and doing everything possible to improve.”
Troost-Ekong dismissed suggestions that a lack of desire among the players contributed to Nigeria’s failure, arguing instead that the country’s shortcomings lie in broader structural and organisational issues that require urgent attention.
“I have never felt there was a lack of motivation or commitment from the players,” he said. “I simply believe there are several areas that need to change, and this time those changes will be essential if the team is to succeed.”
Nigeria’s absence from the expanded 48-team World Cup has been made even more painful by the strong performances of several African nations at the tournament, reinforcing the belief that the Super Eagles should have been among the continent’s leading representatives.
Troost-Ekong’s comments are likely to add momentum to growing calls from former internationals and football stakeholders for a comprehensive review of Nigerian football, with attention already turning towards the qualification campaign for the 2030 FIFA World Cup.
While the Nigeria Football Federation has yet to respond publicly to the defender’s remarks, interim coach Augustine Eguavoen has previously acknowledged that future qualification campaigns will require better planning, greater continuity and more effective preparation.
For Nigerian supporters, the hope is that another painful World Cup absence will finally become the turning point that inspires lasting reform and returns the Super Eagles to the global stage in 2030.
