Victor Osimhen Reacts as Super Eagles Miss Out on 2026 World Cup Qualification
Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen has expressed his disappointment following Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, describing the setback as painful for the entire team.
The tournament, which will be the first ever to feature an expanded 48-team format, kicked off last week with countries from all over the world competing for a place on football’s biggest stage.
Africa was allotted nine automatic qualification spots, along with an additional playoff slot. Despite this advantage, Nigeria failed to secure a place in the tournament.
The Super Eagles’ qualification campaign ended in disappointment after finishing second in their group before eventually losing to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) in the playoff round.
The result means Nigeria will miss a second consecutive World Cup, extending a frustrating period for one of Africa’s most decorated football nations.
Speaking during a social media livestream, Osimhen admitted the disappointment has been difficult for the squad to take.
“It’s bad, not just for me but for the rest of the guys,” he said. “We’ve missed out twice in a row. Sometimes life happens, so we just have to keep moving.”
Nigeria last featured at the FIFA World Cup in 2018, meaning a number of current Super Eagles players, including Osimhen, are yet to experience football’s biggest international stage.
The striker’s comments have since drawn reactions from fans, many of whom have expressed concern over the team’s continued struggles in major competitions.
Watch the video here…
“How do you feel about not going to the World Cup?”
Victor Osimhen: pic.twitter.com/TaIH7nOwgb
— 𝐀𝐬𝐚𝐤𝐲𝐆𝐑𝐍 (@AsakyGRN) June 16, 2026
