Super Eagles striker Akor Adams has expressed deep regret over Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup but says he has now shifted his focus back to club football with Sevilla — though the pain of missing the Mundial still lingers.
Adams, one of Nigeria’s emerging forwards, said he fully understands the frustration and heartbreak felt by millions of Nigerians after the Super Eagles fell short in the qualifiers.
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“I know how Nigerians feel. I feel the disappointment too. We all wanted to be at the World Cup,” he said.
The striker admitted that the players were devastated after failing to secure qualification, especially considering how much joy a World Cup appearance would have brought to the nation.
“It would have brought so much happiness — to us as players and to the whole country. Missing out is painful,” he added.
However, Adams said he has made a conscious decision to draw a line under the disappointment and move forward. With the World Cup gone, he believes it’s crucial to keep progressing at a personal level and contribute fully to his club side.
“I’ve put it behind me now. I have to focus on Sevilla and give my best here. That’s the only way to keep growing as a player,” he said.
Adams emphasised that setbacks are part of football and part of a player’s development. He insisted that Nigeria’s failure, while painful, must serve as motivation rather than a weight that drags players down.
“This is football — sometimes these things happen. What matters is how you respond and how you improve from it,” he said.
The striker also urged Nigerians to keep supporting the team, noting that difficult moments are when unity matters most.
“We need the country behind us. We are hurting too, but we will come back stronger,” he promised.
Adams concluded with a message of determination and maturity:
“The World Cup dream is gone for now — but my focus, hunger, and ambition remain. I’ll be ready when Nigeria calls again.”
