Troost-Ekong is the only member of the current Super Eagles squad to have played at the global fiesta, having made his debut appearance at the Russia 2018 World Cup when he was just 23. Nigeria disappointingly failed to qualify for the most recent edition in Qatar.
Now 32, the 2026 tournament is likely the final realistic opportunity for the experienced defender to grace the world stage again. He previously also had the honor of representing Nigeria at the Olympics.
"Playing at the World Cup for the second time would be a dream," Troost-Ekong told Olympics.com. "In 2018, I fulfilled my childhood dream at just 23. Now, with more experience and maturity, I’m ready to lead this exciting generation of talent and go beyond what we achieved before.”
His determination to return is palpable as he prepares to lead the team through the crucial qualifying stages. The Super Eagles' next challenge is a playoff semi-final tie against Gabon scheduled for Thursday in Rabat, Morocco.