Super Eagles winger Moses Simon has opened up on Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, insisting the players are still hurting from the disappointment while dismissing suggestions that they do not care about representing the country.
The Nantes star said the pain of missing football’s biggest tournament remains fresh within the squad, stressing that no player was happy with the outcome of the qualification campaign.
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Nigeria failed to qualify for a second consecutive FIFA World Cup after a disappointing qualifying series, extending the country’s absence from the global showpiece after also missing the 2022 edition in Qatar.
“We’re still hurting because every player wanted to play at the World Cup. People should understand that we care deeply about the Super Eagles and representing Nigeria,” Simon said.
The 29-year-old, who has been one of the Super Eagles’ most consistent performers in recent years, acknowledged the frustration of Nigerian supporters but urged fans to continue believing in the team.
Simon admitted that while the disappointment cannot be erased overnight, the players must now focus on rebuilding and ensuring Nigeria returns stronger in future competitions.
“We have to move on from what happened. The fans are disappointed, we’re disappointed too, but now our focus is on making sure we don’t repeat those mistakes,” he added.
Attention has now shifted to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and the next World Cup qualifying cycle, with the Super Eagles determined to restore confidence under head coach Eric Chelle.
Simon expressed confidence that, with unity, proper preparation and continued support from Nigerians, the Super Eagles can bounce back and reclaim their place among Africa’s leading football nations.
