Super Eagles defender Ola Aina has shared a personal and emotional reflection on his World Cup journey, revealing that the 2026 edition could be his final shot at playing on football’s biggest stage.
Currently playing for Nottingham Forest, Aina opened up about his disappointment from missing past tournaments—particularly the 2018 World Cup in Russia. “I got shenked in 2018,” he said, referring to his exclusion by then-coach Gernot Rohr. “I was supposed to go, but he messed it up.”
Now 27, and set to be 29 by the time the next World Cup kicks off, Aina is all in. After missing out again in 2022 when Nigeria failed to qualify following a tense playoff against Ghana, he’s determined not to let this next opportunity slip by.
“This time, I’m putting everything into it,” he said. “If I don’t make it to 2026, that’s probably it for me. I’ll be too old, and I’m not trying to take anyone’s spot. It’s in the U.S.—I need to be there.”
With just four matches left in the CAF qualifiers, the pressure is on. Nigeria currently sits fourth in Group C, six points behind table-toppers South Africa. Only the group winner will qualify directly, which means the Super Eagles must win every remaining game to keep their hopes alive.
For Aina, this is more than just qualifying—it’s about finally living a dream that’s been slipping through his fingers.
