Super Eagles winger Moses Simon believes the current generation of Nigerian internationals is unlikely to form the core of the team that will compete for a place at the 2030 FIFA World Cup, insisting that a new wave of talented youngsters will be expected to lead the country’s future.
Nigeria failed to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after finishing behind South Africa during the qualifying campaign before falling short in the playoffs, extending the country’s absence from football’s biggest tournament after also missing the 2022 edition in Qatar. The next World Cup will be staged in 2030 across Spain, Portugal and Morocco, but Simon admitted that many members of the present squad could have moved on by then.
The Paris FC winger, who celebrated his 31st birthday on Sunday, would be 35 when the 2030 tournament begins. Simon has never featured at a FIFA World Cup, having missed the 2018 finals in Russia through injury before Nigeria failed to qualify for the next two editions. Several of the team’s experienced players will also be well into their thirties by 2030, including Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi and Victor Osimhen.
Reflecting on Nigeria’s latest World Cup disappointment, Simon admitted the failure to qualify has been painful for everyone associated with the national team. He stressed that the players care deeply about representing the country on football’s biggest stage, insisting that missing consecutive World Cups has been a major source of frustration within the dressing room.
Despite that disappointment, Simon remains optimistic about the future under head coach Eric Chelle. He believes the Franco-Malian tactician has already begun rebuilding the Super Eagles with a long-term vision, creating a pathway for younger players who could become the foundation of Nigeria’s squad over the next few years.
The winger acknowledged that difficult decisions will inevitably come as a new generation emerges, suggesting that as many as 90 to 95 per cent of the current squad may no longer be involved by the time the 2030 World Cup arrives. According to Simon, the influx of young talent means many of today’s established internationals could be watching from the stands rather than playing on the pitch, while Chelle continues to assemble a stronger and more competitive team for the future.
Simon, however, insisted that such a transition should be viewed positively because it represents the natural evolution of the national team. He expressed confidence that the next generation would be capable of achieving what the current crop could not, saying the most important objective is ensuring Nigeria returns to the World Cup regardless of who wears the green and white jersey.
On a personal level, Simon admitted he may never realise his own ambition of playing at a FIFA World Cup, but said he has accepted that possibility with pride and optimism. He expressed hope that if he is unable to fulfil that dream, his son or one of the young players developing through his football academy will one day represent Nigeria on the global stage.
Simon has enjoyed an outstanding international career since making his Super Eagles debut in 2015. The experienced winger has earned 98 caps for Nigeria and is just two appearances away from joining the exclusive group of players to reach 100 international appearances. He has also been one of the country’s most consistent performers at the Africa Cup of Nations, helping Nigeria win bronze medals in 2019 and 2025 before finishing as runners-up at the 2023 edition.
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