William Troost-Ekong has announced his retirement from international football, ending a distinguished 10-year spell with Nigeria national football team just weeks before the Africa Cup of Nations begins in Morocco.
The 31-year-old confirmed in an emotional statement that his final appearance came in Nigeria’s 2026 World Cup playoff defeat to DR Congo — a result that ended the nation’s hopes of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
In a social media post on Thursday, Troost-Ekong said he was stepping away after a career defined by leadership, resilience and unwavering commitment.
“Every single time I put on that iconic shirt, I thought back to the moment Stephen Keshi gave me my debut,” he wrote. “Nigeria took me in and trusted me to represent a nation of 230+ million. I have lived my dream.”
Since making his competitive debut in 2015, Troost-Ekong became a cornerstone of Nigeria’s defence. His partnership with Leon Balogun — dubbed the “Oyibo Wall” — helped anchor the side that reached the 2018 World Cup and featured in multiple AFCON tournaments.
He won three major medals with Nigeria, including Olympic bronze at 2016 Summer Olympics and another bronze at the 2019 AFCON. His crowning achievement came at the delayed 2023 AFCON in Côte d’Ivoire, where he captained the Super Eagles to the final and was named Player of the Tournament after scoring in the final and delivering one of the standout performances by a Nigerian defender.
“To have achieved 83 caps, played in five major tournaments and captained Nigeria is beyond my wildest dreams,” he said. “In adversity, we come together, we hustle, we fight through the pain and rise.”
Troost-Ekong said he is “at peace” with his decision and hopes his journey will inspire the next generation of Super Eagles players.
“It has been fun to play alongside my Nigerian teammates, building something great together,” he said. “Now it’s the turn of the next generation to continue and write their own story.”
He emphasized that his retirement is not “a final goodbye,” adding that he plans to remain involved in Nigerian football, though he did not specify in what capacity.
“To the Nigerian fans — the heartbeat of our football — your support carried me through every high and every challenge,” he added. “Wearing the Super Eagles shirt has been more than playing football. It has been a duty, a privilege, and an honour.”
His departure signals the close of a significant chapter for Nigeria — a decade in which Troost-Ekong evolved from a promising defender into a captain and enduring symbol of pride and perseverance.
