William Troost-Ekong has admitted Nigeria's absence from the 2026 FIFA World Cup remains a major disappointment, saying the Super Eagles must treat the setback as an important lesson and make the necessary changes to ensure they return to football's biggest stage.
The former Super Eagles captain said watching African teams perform impressively at the tournament has filled him with both pride and frustration, as he believes Nigeria had the quality to make a significant impact had they qualified.
The former Watford player said the disappointment of missing out has only strengthened the players' determination to ensure Nigeria returns to the World Cup.
"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," Troost-Ekong said.
Nigeria failed to qualify for the 2026 Fifa World Cup after an inconsistent qualifying campaign, extending the country's absence from the tournament to a second consecutive edition.
The experienced defender said he believes the Super Eagles possessed the talent and experience needed to compete with the world's best teams.
"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.
Troost-Ekong also pointed to the quality and growing experience within the squad as reasons why he feels Nigeria would have been competitive at the tournament.
"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," he added.
Reflecting on the lessons from the failed qualification campaign, Troost-Ekong said Nigeria should use the disappointment as a turning point rather than simply another missed opportunity.
"It would have been wonderful to see them compete, but I also think this serves as an important lesson," he said.
He stressed that the team must carefully assess what went wrong before the next qualification cycle begins.
"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," he added.
Troost-Ekong also dismissed suggestions that the players lacked commitment, insisting the squad has always been fully motivated to represent the country.
"The players will continue working hard, sharing ideas, and doing everything possible to improve," he said.
The former captain maintained that motivation has never been an issue within the Super Eagles camp, but acknowledged that changes are needed if the team is to avoid another World Cup disappointment.
"I have never felt there was a lack of motivation or commitment from the players. 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," he added.
Troost-Ekong's comments come as Nigeria begins planning for its next major qualification campaign, with the experienced defender hopeful the lessons from missing back-to-back World Cups will inspire the changes needed to restore the Super Eagles to the global stage.
Wale Adejumo
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