Former Super Eagles forward Osaze Odemwingie has expressed disappointment at Nigeria’s absence from the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup tournament.
The three-time African champions failed to qualify for a second consecutive edition of the World Cup after suffering a penalty shootout defeat to DR Congo in the CAF playoff final.
Nigeria had initially missed out on an automatic spot by finishing second in their group behind South Africa, leaving them to go through the playoffs to seal a spot.
Despite defeating Gabon 4-1 in the first round, they ultimately suffered a penalty shootout defeat to the Democratic Republic of Congo, ending their hopes of playing at the tournament this summer.
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Even though the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) lodged an appeal to disqualify their opponent over ineligibility of some players, the complaints were totally dismissed.
The Super Eagles also failed to qualify for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, after they were beaten over two legs by Ghana in the playoff round.
Osaze laments Nigeria’s World Cup miss
Speaking during an interview, former Nigerian forward Peter Osaze Odemwingie, who represented the country at two editions of the FIFA World Cup, has revealed how hurt he felt when the Super Eagles failed in their bid to reach the 23rd edition of the tournament.
“Even watching it, I am like a kid when it comes to football. I can get excited even about the bag that they will drop for us at AFCON camp and World Cup camp”, the former West Bromich Albion forward said.
“World Cup kits and AFCON kits all this gets me excited. And when I saw the kits, I said Nike already had a design for our World Cup kit, and our lads would have worn this kit to play games in the World Cup.
“As someone who loves football, the child in me was sad, and I said, ‘Wow, our boys won’t wear these kits in the World Cup. A lot of people want to see Nigeria at the World Cup because there are always fast and physical players.
“It’s a sad one for football. I am sure if it was left for FIFA, they would change the rule to add ten more teams”, Osaze added.
“They added more teams to the 2026 edition, and Nigeria won’t be part of it ,it hurts the pride. But there is nothing we can do about it; our boys will sit it out. This will rest in our minds for a very long time because our players are good”, he concluded.
With no World Cup to play, Nigeria will instead prepare for the defence of their Unity Cup title later this month in London, before facing Poland and Portugal in two high-profile friendly matches in June.
