Super Eagles defender Ola Aina has revealed his deep desire to feature at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, admitting that missing the last two tournaments has only strengthened his resolve.
Nigeria has not qualified for the global showpiece since 2018. The Super Eagles missed out on the 2022 edition in Qatar after a disappointing play-off defeat to Ghana over two legs.
Currently, Nigeria’s hopes of making it to the 2026 tournament hang in the balance. The team sits fourth in Group C of the African qualifiers, trailing group leaders South Africa by six points with just four matches remaining. Barring a remarkable turnaround, the three-time African champions could miss out yet again.
Reflecting on his World Cup journey, Aina, who will turn 29 in October, opened up about the pain of missing out in previous years.
“I got shenked in 2018. That manager [Gernot Rohr] shenked me—I was supposed to go, but he did rubbish,” the Nottingham Forest player said.
“Then, obviously, we didn’t qualify in 2022. So for 2026, I’m putting all my energy into it. I need to go because if not, I think my World Cup dream is over.”
Acknowledging the challenge ahead, Aina added: “I’ll be too old and I’m not trying to take anyone else’s place. Plus, it’s in the U.S.—I need to be there. There are four games left, and we need to win all of them.”
With time running out and the stakes high, Aina’s determination reflects the growing urgency within the Nigerian squad as they fight to keep their World Cup hopes alive.
