Super Eagles striker Akor Adams says missing 2026 World Cup "hurt us the most"
LAGOS — Nigeria forward Akor Adams has said the Super Eagles' failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup "hurt us the most," according to Sports247 Nigeria, which published the striker's comments on 1 July 2026.
By Source Reporters Newsdesk
Fri, 17 July 2026 · 1 min read
LAGOS — Nigeria forward Akor Adams has said the Super Eagles' failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup "hurt us the most," according to Sports247 Nigeria, which published the striker's comments on 1 July 2026.
Adams, who was speaking after criticism of the team's recent performances, said the absence from football's flagship tournament weighed heavier on the squad than external scrutiny. Sports247 reported that the striker responded directly to his detractors while defending the group's record.
Nigeria did not qualify for the 2026 World Cup, missing the tournament for the second consecutive cycle. The Super Eagles, Africa's most populous football nation, were eliminated during the qualifying phase amid a wider continental shake-up that also excluded several traditional powers.
The 2026 finals are being staged across hosts including the United States, Canada and Mexico. Nigeria's next competitive fixtures fall under the Africa Cup of Nations and the road to the 2030 World Cup.
**Global/Local Angle:** The remarks underscore the depth of disappointment within African football's biggest market after a second straight World Cup absence, sharpening pressure on the Nigeria Football Federation ahead of the 2030 qualifying cycle.
**Sources**
- https://www.sports247.ng
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