Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen says qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup is a priority for the men’s national team, as they prepare for this month’s important Qualifiers, www.aclsports.com reports.
Nigeria, who are currently winless in Group C after drawing three of their first four games, will look to get their campaign back on track with wins against Rwanda and Zimbabwe.
Osimhen – who has been absent in the first four games through injury – described the “heartbreaking disappointment” three years ago when fierce rivals Ghana progressed from a play-off and reached Qatar 2022 at their expense.
“It’s a dream of every footballer to play at the World Cup and with our situation in the group I am desperate, like other players, to make it to the 2026 tournament,” Osimhen told BBC Sport Africa.
“We suffered a big disappointment in 2022 and we simply can’t let it happen again to us, the country and our generation. You don’t want to finish your career with the regrets of not playing at the World Cup. That is not what I want for myself.”
On his side’s chances, Osimhen opined that they must be ready and have the desire to not let themselves and the country down again after the disappointment in 2022.
“Names no longer win matches and you must be ready and switched on for the duration of the games,” he said.
“We will be playing for our country, our family names and the hopes of almost 300 million people. It is not the pressure that we face but the desire to not let ourselves and the country down. Playing at the World Cup is a priority and we must make it happen this time around.”
New manager Eric Chelle, who is the third head coach to lead the Super Eagles in the World Cup Qualifiers, has already called up 23 players for the games later this month, and Osimhen is keen to work with him.
“I’ve spoken to him couple of times and clearly understand the objectives he has set for himself and for the players,” the Galatasaray man added. It takes more than a coach to win football matches. Players must also be at their best, show commitment and bear in mind that we can all fly together to reach our goal,” Osimhen said.
The 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign will come to an end just before the 2025 AFCON, with the final four fixtures spread across September and October. Only the group winners are guaranteed a place at the finals, but Nigeria could enter continental play-offs in November should they finish second.
