Former Super Eagles striker Odion Ighalo says he feels saddened by the current crop of players in the Nigeria national football team who have missed the opportunity to feature at the 2026 FIFA World Cup following the team’s failure to qualify.

The Super Eagles missed out on an automatic World Cup ticket during the qualifying series and also failed to secure a place via the African play-off, where they lost the intercontinental play-off spot to DR Congo.

As a result, Nigeria will miss back-to-back FIFA World Cup tournaments, with several players in the current squad in their prime.

DR Congo are set to feature in the intercontinental play-offs following the win. The NFF had protested their progress over the alleged use of ineligible players, but the petition was rejected by FIFA, with the federation now opting to appeal the decision.

Ighalo, speaking on Brila FM’s No Holds Barred on Wednesday, expressed concern that top players such as Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, Samuel Chukwueze and Calvin Bassey are in excellent form but will miss out on football’s biggest stage.

“Most of the players who played at the AFCON deserve to be at the World Cup. We have one of the best strikers in the world in Victor Osimhen, and he hasn’t been to the World Cup. Ademola Lookman, Chukwueze — all of them — I feel sad for them. I pray a miracle happens,” Ighalo said.

“I was at the 2018 World Cup in Russia and I saw things. I feel for the likes of Osimhen, Chukwueze, Lookman and all the young players doing well at their clubs.

“Personally, I feel sad because I wanted to watch the Eagles play. If you check the countries that are going, if we are not the best, we are one of the best teams in Africa. I feel like crying. In 2018, we qualified with two games to spare,” he added.

During his time with the national team, Ighalo was part of Nigeria’s squad at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, where the team exited at the group stage.

He was heavily criticised by fans after missing a late chance that could have sent the Super Eagles through to the round of 16 in their final group game against Argentina.

The 36-year-old scored 16 goals in 37 appearances for Nigeria.