Victor Osimhen Breaks Silence on Nigeria’s 2026 World Cup Absence: ‘I Feel Bad About Not Playing’

Victor Osimhen has spoken openly about the emotional toll of Nigeria’s absence from the 2026 FIFA World Cup, stating that the disappointment is one he continues to carry. The Galatasaray striker addressed the issue during a live Twitch broadcast, offering his most candid remarks yet on the Super Eagles’ qualifying campaign failure.

“I feel bad about not playing at the World Cup. This is the second time in a row. I was talking with the other guys and they feel the same way too, but that is life, we move on,” the 27-year-old said, according to Pulse Sports.

Osimhen’s frustration is understandable given his individual contribution during the qualifying phase. The striker netted eight goals across the campaign — a return that underlined his class at international level — yet it proved insufficient to carry Nigeria through to the tournament being hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Nigeria’s World Cup dream was extinguished in a playoff against DR Congo that finished 1-1 after extra time. The Super Eagles were then eliminated on penalties, losing 4-3 in a shootout, ending what had been an agonising route through the final qualifying stages.

The defeat to DR Congo means Nigeria have now missed consecutive World Cups for the first time in their history. The three-time African champions were also absent from the 2022 edition in Qatar, a tournament they failed to reach after a controversial playoff exit to Ghana on away goals. Their last appearance at the global stage came at Russia 2018, where they reached the group stage before being eliminated.

Nigeria have historically qualified for the World Cup on six occasions, with their best performance coming in 1994 when they reached the round of 16 under Clemens Westerhof. Their absence from back-to-back tournaments represents a significant decline for a nation that was once regarded as one of Africa’s most reliable qualifiers.

Osimhen confirmed that the sentiment within the squad mirrors his own. He noted that conversations with teammates revealed a collective sense of dejection, though the group appears determined to channel that pain into motivation going forward. “That is life, we move on,” he added.

For the Nigeria Football Federation, the immediate priority will be a structural and tactical reset ahead of the 2030 World Cup qualifying cycle. That tournament is set to be co-hosted by Spain, Portugal, and Morocco, with additional matches scheduled in Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay as part of centenary celebrations.

At club level, Osimhen has been based at Galatasaray in Turkey following his loan move from Napoli, where he rose to prominence after finishing as Serie A’s top scorer in the 2022-23 season with 26 goals and inspiring the Partenopei to their first league title in 33 years. His international form has remained consistent despite the team’s qualifying struggles, and he is expected to remain central to Nigeria’s rebuilding efforts under whatever coaching structure the federation puts in place.