Super Eagles fullback Ola Aina is determined to help Nigeria mount a strong comeback in the race to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with just four matches remaining in the campaign.
Aina acknowledged that this could be his last chance to feature on football’s grandest stage, having missed out on both the 2018 and 2022 editions.
The 28-year-old, who has represented Nigeria in three consecutive Africa Cup of Nations tournaments (2019, 2021, and 2023), is yet to make his World Cup debut. He was named in Nigeria’s provisional 30-man squad for the 2018 tournament in Russia but did not make the final cut.
In an exclusive interview with the 90s Baby Show, Aina voiced out his World Cup ambitions, expressing how much the upcoming tournament in Canada, Mexico, and the United States, means to him.
Read Also: Napoli put fresh hurdles before Galatasaray to grab Osimhen
He said: “In 2018, I wasn’t selected. I was supposed to go but the manager didn’t pick me. 2022, we didn’t qualify so this 2026, I’m putting all my energy into it. I need to, because if not, my World Cup dream’s over.
“I would be too old, and I’m not get in people’s way. It’s in the States, I need to be there.”
Nigeria’s hopes of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup are currently hanging in the balance. The Super Eagles are fourth in their qualifying group with seven points from six matches, trailing Rwanda and Benin by two points and sitting six points behind group leaders South Africa.
Despite the uphill task, Aina remains confident in the team’s ability to turn things around and seal a World Cup spot.
“There’s four games left and we need to win all four. I think we can do it though, our team has the quality. It depends on other results, but we don’t wanna be doing that. Just go there and win.”
The Super Eagles will resume their World Cup qualifying campaign on September 1 with a must-win match against Rwanda. A challenging away fixture against South Africa follows on September 8, before they take on Lesotho and Benin on October 6 and 13, respectively.
