Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong is reportedly weighing up international retirement after Nigeria’s heartbreaking exit from the 2026 FIFA World Cup race, following their CAF playoff final defeat to DR Congo in Morocco.
According to sports journalist MikeThePundit, the 32-year-old defender may have played his final game for Nigeria. The journalist revealed on X (Twitter) that Troost-Ekong informed teammates in the dressing room after the loss that he might not return to the squad.
“Troost Ekong considering retirement from the Super Eagles. The captain told the players after the DR Congo game, ‘I will watch you as a fan at the AFCON,’” he reported.
Troost-Ekong’s last start for the Super Eagles came in Nigeria’s 2–1 victory over Lesotho in Polokwane, where he also found the net. Since then, he has largely featured from the bench, with Besiktas midfielder Wilfred Ndidi assuming captaincy duties and young defender Benjamin Fredrick earning more minutes.
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The former Udinese and Watford man made his Nigeria debut in 2015 and grew into one of the team’s most trusted leaders. He captained the side at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations and was named in the tournament’s group-stage Best XI. Nigeria went on to be knocked out by Tunisia in the following round.
His finest moment in national colours came at the 2023 AFCON, where he once again wore the armband and was named Player of the Tournament, leading Nigeria to a runners-up finish after a narrow 2–1 defeat to hosts Ivory Coast.
With the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) set to kick off from 21 December 2025 to 18 January 2026, uncertainty now surrounds whether Troost-Ekong will stay on for one last tournament or call time on an impressive international career.
Nigeria, chasing a fourth continental crown, will hope their captain decides to stay for one more dance but for now, the decision rests solely with the veteran defender.
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