Super Eagles captain Troost-Ekong hints at retirement after World Cup exit
Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong is reportedly considering international retirement following Nigeria’s heartbreaking exit from the 2026 FIFA World Cup playoffs against DR Congo in Morocco. The 32-year-old defender reportedly told teammates after the defeat that he may have played his final game for the national team.
Born in the Netherlands to a Dutch mother and Nigerian father, Troost-Ekong represented the Netherlands at under-19 and under-20 levels before choosing to play for Nigeria. He made his senior debut on 13 June 2015 in an AFCON qualifying match against Chad, playing the full 90 minutes under coach Stephen Keshi.
In 2016, he made three starts for the senior team before joining Nigeria’s under-23 squad for the Rio Olympics, where the team secured a bronze medal under coach Samson Siasia.
Troost-Ekong’s World Cup journey began in 2018 when he was named in Nigeria’s 23-man squad for the tournament in Russia. Nigeria exited at the group stage, marking his first World Cup experience.
His standout performances came at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast. He scored a penalty in a 1–0 group win against the hosts and netted again in the semi-final against South Africa, helping Nigeria advance after a 4–2 penalty shootout victory.
He also scored the opening goal in the final against Ivory Coast, though Nigeria lost 2–1. Despite the defeat, he was named Player of the Tournament, and his five goals set a new record for the most by a defender in AFCON history.
Over more than a decade with Nigeria, Troost-Ekong has scored eight goals in 83 caps, winning a bronze medal at AFCON 2019 and a runners-up medal in 2023.
With the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations scheduled from 21 December 2025 to 18 January 2026 in Morocco, questions remain over whether he will extend his international career for one final campaign. Nigeria, chasing a fourth continental crown, will hope their captain stays, but the decision rests entirely with the veteran defender.
