Troost-Ekong: Nigeria’s World Cup Failure One of the ‘Most Difficult Moments’ of My Career

Troost-Ekong: Nigeria’s World Cup Failure One of the ‘Most Difficult Moments’ of My Career

By Admin 

Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong has described Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup as one of the most painful experiences of his football career, admitting that the turbulent campaign left him battling feelings of shame and deep disappointment.

Troost-Ekong, who currently plays for Al-Kholood in Saudi Arabia, reflected on the team’s campaign and the emotional toll it took on the squad. Speaking candidly, the 32-year-old defender said the Super Eagles began the qualifiers confident of securing a World Cup ticket, only to see their hopes gradually collapse.

“It was one of the most difficult moments in my career,” he said. “Early on, we were very confident that we would qualify when we looked at our group. The other teams weren’t necessarily the major teams in Africa that we normally talk about.”

However, as results worsened over the course of nearly three years, Troost-Ekong said the team began to confront the painful reality that they might miss out.

“When it started looking like you are not going to qualify which it really looked like until very recently when South Africa got a three-point deduction you get overwhelmed with that feeling of shame, embarrassment, and disappointment,” he added. “Not just in yourself, but for the team and, most of all, for all Nigerians.”

Nigeria, considered favourites on paper, struggled for consistency throughout the qualifiers, dropping vital points in matches they were expected to control. Although the Super Eagles rallied late with a commanding 4–0 win in their final group match to overtake Benin Republic and finish second in Group C, the resurgence proved insufficient.

Their World Cup hopes ultimately ended in heartbreak, as the Democratic Republic of Congo edged Nigeria on penalties in the playoff, sealing the three-time African champions’ absence from the 2026 tournament.

Troost-Ekong acknowledged the weight of the disappointment, noting that the elimination was difficult both professionally and personally, given the expectations of millions of Nigerian supporters.

Focus Shifts to AFCON 2025

With the World Cup setback behind them, the Super Eagles have turned their attention to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, which kicks off in two weeks. Troost-Ekong has announced his retirement from the Super Eagles and won't part of the players to Morocco for the 2025 African Nations Cup.

Nigeria will be without promising young defender Benjamin Frederick, who has been ruled out of the tournament after sustaining an injury while playing for Dender EH in Belgium.