Ola Aina eyes elusive World Cup dream as final opportunity nears

Ola Aina has been a fixture in Nigeria’s national team setup since making his debut in October 2017, amassing 46 appearances across friendlies, African Cup of Nations qualifiers, World Cup campaigns, and continental finals.

Yet, despite his growing influence within the Super Eagles squad, one crucial milestone remains missing from his international career — a FIFA World Cup appearance.

The 28-year-old full-back, currently playing for Nottingham Forest in the English Premier League, has openly acknowledged that the absence of a World Cup appearance weighs heavily on him.

Aina came agonisingly close to being part of the squad that travelled to Russia in 2018, but ultimately missed out.

Reflecting on that disappointment, he revealed in a recent interview with Soccer Nigeria: “I was ridiculed in 2018 by the manager, I was supposed to leave,” recalling the moment with lingering regret.

Despite participating in multiple African Cup of Nations tournaments and playing a key role in qualifying campaigns, Aina has yet to experience football’s most prestigious global stage.

Now, with the 2026 World Cup approaching, he sees a narrow window of opportunity to finally achieve what he calls a career-defining goal.

“I have to go, otherwise I think my World Cup dream is over,” Aina said candidly. Fully aware of the ticking clock, he added, “I’ll be too old,” in reference to the following edition in 2030, when he would be 33.

As Nigeria navigates a challenging qualification campaign, the path to the 2026 tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico is far from assured.

The Super Eagles currently sit fourth in their group, with just eight points from a possible 18 after six matches. The team trails group leaders South Africa by five points, with only four matches remaining to make up the deficit.

This precarious position places added urgency not only on Nigeria’s qualification hopes, but also on Aina’s individual aspirations.

Though he remains a committed presence in the squad, his World Cup ambitions now depend not only on personal form, but also on the collective revival of the Super Eagles’ fortunes.

Aina’s sense of timing is clear. A seasoned defender known for his versatility and composure, he has represented Nigeria with consistency and passion.

Yet, even with the pride of wearing the national colours and the experience of competing on the African stage, he views the World Cup as the ultimate measure of international achievement.

As qualification resumes, the stakes for Nigeria — and for Aina — could not be higher. The four remaining matches will determine whether the Super Eagles can recover their footing and secure a place among the world’s elite. For Ola Aina, they may also represent the final chance to fulfil a dream nearly a decade in the making.