Former Nigeria captain Troost-Ekong reveals heartbreak after failed World Cup bid

Former Nigeria captain William Troost-Ekong has revealed heartbreak following the Super Eagles 2026 World Cup qualification setback.

The West African football heavyweights missed out on World Cup qualification for the second time running after falling short in the African playoff, held in Morocco last month.

Nigeria succumbed to a defeat against DR Congo, undermining their qualification chances for the global showpiece. The Leopards, who triumphed in the African playoff will compete in the intercontinental playoff scheduled for March 2026 for a spot at the mundial.

Troost-Ekong, who announced his retirement from international on Thursday has admitted he would have lift the AFCON and play at the World Cup with Nigeria before calling it a quit.

“My heart was pounding like crazy.” Said Troost-Ekong after witnessing the Super Eagles failed World Cup bid in Morocco.

Despite being named in the Super Eagles provisional squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations tournament, the experienced defender has decided to bow out of international football.

Troost-Ekong, who currently plies his trade for Al-Kholood in the Saudi top-flight made his debut for the Super Eagles in 2015 and established himself as a key member of the team.

The 32-year-old centre-back made 83 appearances in his ten-year run with the Super Eagles, racking up eight goals across the period. He secured three medals and also featured at five major tournament for the national team.

Ekong’s last competitive start came in Nigeria’s 2–1 win over Lesotho, where he scored. However, he has played a reduced role recently, with Wilfred Ndidi wearing the armband and young defender Benjamin Fredrick rising quickly.

Since making his debut in 2015, Ekong has been a consistent pillar for Nigeria. He won AFCON bronze in 2019, made the Best XI in 2021, and captained the team to the 2023 AFCON final, where he was named Player of the Tournament.