The expanded 48-team tournament, which kicked off last week, features countries from around the world, but Nigeria are absent despite Africa being allocated nine automatic slots and an additional playoff spot.
Nigeria striker Victor Osimhen has expressed his disappointment over the Super Eagles’ failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, describing it as a painful setback for the team.
The expanded 48-team tournament, which kicked off last week, features countries from around the world, but Nigeria are absent despite Africa being allocated nine automatic slots and an additional playoff spot.
The Super Eagles finished second in their qualifying group before losing to DR Congo in the continental playoffs, resulting in their second consecutive World Cup absence.
Nigeria last appeared at the tournament in 2018, meaning several current players, including Osimhen, have yet to feature on football’s biggest stage.
Speaking during a social media livestream, the 27-year-old striker admitted his frustration.
“It’s bad, not just for me but for the rest of the guys. We’ve missed out twice in a row.
Sometimes life happens, so we just have to keep moving,” he said.
His remarks highlight the growing disappointment within the squad as Nigeria continues to struggle in World Cup qualification campaigns despite the expanded format.
Attention is now turning toward rebuilding the team ahead of future international competitions as the Super Eagles aim to return to the global stage.
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