Super Eagles defender Ola Aina has expressed his determination to play in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, admitting that it might be his last chance to feature in the tournament. Nigeria is currently struggling to qualify for the World Cup, sitting fourth in Group C of the World Cup Qualifiers, six points behind leaders South Africa.
Aina, who has been featured in most of Nigeria’s games in the qualifying series, is adamant that he can help the team sneak into the World Cup. “I got shenked in 2018. That manager (Gernot Rohr) shenked me, I was supposed to go, but he did rubbish,” Aina said. “Then obviously we didn’t qualify in 2022. So this 2026, I’m putting all my energy into it. I need to go because if not, I think my World Cup dream is over.”
The Super Eagles have a tough road ahead, needing to win all four of their remaining games in the series and hope that the other teams in their group falter.
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However, Aina is optimistic that they can do it. “I’ll be too old and I’m not trying to get in other people’s place, and it’s in the US. I need to be there. There’s five (four) games left and we need to win all,” he said.
Ola Aina with the “cold” celebration for Nottingham Forest
There is a glimmer of hope for Nigeria, as South Africa risks losing three points for fielding an ineligible player in their game against Benin.
If South Africa are docked three points, Benin will get those points and will climb to first place with 11 points. The Bafana Bafana will drop to second with ten points, three points over Nigeria.
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Aina’s message is clear: he wants to play in the World Cup and is willing to give it his all to make it happen. “This 2026 World Cup, I need to be there, I think we can do it (Qualify),” he said. With four games left to play, the Super Eagles will need to win all of them and hope that the other teams in their group cancel each other out.
