Victor Osimhen has described Nigeria’s absence from the 2026 World Cup as “bad”, admitting the Super Eagles have now missed the tournament twice in a row

Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen has expressed deep disappointment over Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, describing the country’s absence from the global showpiece as “bad”.

Also read: Kane Shines as England Beat Croatia in Thriller

The Galatasaray forward, who spoke during a recent social media live stream, voiced the frustration felt by players and supporters after Nigeria missed the tournament for the second consecutive time.

“It’s bad, not just for me but for the rest of the guys,” Osimhen said. “We have missed out twice in a row. Sometimes life happens, so we just have to keep moving,” the 27-year-old added.

Nigeria failed to reach the 2026 World Cup after losing to DR Congo in the playoff round.

The Super Eagles were eliminated despite high expectations following their strong showing at previous competitions.

This marks the second straight World Cup the team has missed, having also failed to qualify for the 2022 edition in Qatar.

The 2026 tournament, which kicked off last week, features eight African nations: Ivory Coast, Morocco, Senegal, Egypt, Cape Verde, DR Congo, Tunisia, South Africa, and Algeria.

Osimhen’s comments come as Nigerian football fans continue to reflect on the missed opportunity, with many calling for a thorough review of the team’s preparation and management.

Also read: Kane Shines as England Beat Croatia in Thriller

The Napoli-owned striker remains one of Nigeria’s most valuable assets and is expected to play a leading role in the Super Eagles’ rebuilding process as they look ahead to future competitions, including the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.