Some of the Super Eagles’ ages by the time Nigeria could next feature at a World Cup in 2030:
Osimhen (31)
Iwobi (34)
Ndidi (33)
Bassey (30)
Ajayi (36)
Lookman (32)
Chukwueze (31)
Onyeka (32)
Simon (34)
Ejuke (32)
Nwabali (33)— ESPN Africa (@ESPNAfrica) November 16, 2025
Nigeria’s gruelling journey toward the 2026 FIFA World Cup culminated in a painful 4–3 defeat on penalties to DR Congo in Rabat, sealing a shocking failure to qualify for the global tournament and ensuring a minimum 12-year absence from the competition.
A Damning Indictment
The final, painful truth is the longevity of the Super Eagles’ absence. Nigeria will miss the World Cup for at least 12 years. Nigeria last appeared at the World Cup in 2018. After missing 2022 and now failing to qualify for 2026, the next opportunity is 2030. “That is a 12-year absence.”
This prolonged exile means “An entire generation of players – Moses Simon, Calvin Bassey, Semi Ajayi, Stanley Nwabali, Akor Adams, Chidera Ejuke, Ola Aina and even Osimhen – may never play at the global showpiece. Many will be past their prime by the next cycle.”
For a football nation of Nigeria’s profile, this is not a random misfortune; “It’s a whole system failure, not just the players.” It is a “damning indictment” and a clear sign of a “systemic collapse that demands long-term rebuilding.”