Troost-Ekong weighs international retirement after Nigeria’s World up heartbreak

Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong is reportedly considering retiring from international football following Nigeria’s agonising failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Sport360NG reports.

Nigeria’s hopes were dashed in Morocco after a penalty shootout defeat to DR Congo in the CAF playoff final, a loss that may mark the end of an illustrious decade-long journey for one of the team’s most influential leaders.

CAF-accredited journalist MikeThePundit reported that the 32-year-old centre-back told teammates in the dressing room after Sunday’s defeat that he was thinking seriously about stepping away from the national team.
According to the journalist, Troost-Ekong said: “I will watch you as a fan at the AFCON.”

If confirmed, it would be a significant moment for a player widely regarded as the emotional anchor of the Super Eagles. His last competitive start came in Nigeria’s 2–1 win over Lesotho in Polokwane, where he also found the net.

Recently, Troost-Ekong has featured less prominently, with Wilfred Ndidi assuming the captaincy in his absence and 20-year-old Benjamin Fredrick emerging as the country’s most promising young defender.

Troost-Ekong debuted for Nigeria in 2015 and quickly established himself as a mainstay in the backline. He helped the Super Eagles secure bronze at the 2019 AFCON and was named in the group-stage Best XI at the 2021 tournament.
He captained Nigeria to the 2023 AFCON final, where he earned the Player of the Tournament award.

With AFCON 2025 set for December next year, uncertainty surrounds whether Troost-Ekong will return for one final tournament or conclude his celebrated international career.

As the captain reflects on his future, a new era may already be emerging in defence, led by rising Brentford talent Benjamin Fredrick. The 20-year-old’s rapid rise began when he unexpectedly joined the Super Eagles camp in London ahead of the Unity Cup. He impressed head coach Eric Chelle, helping Nigeria defeat Jamaica in the final to lift the trophy.