Nigeria's failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup has left the current crop of Super Eagles players disappointed, particularly those who may never get another opportunity to feature on football's biggest stage.
The 2030 World Cup will be jointly hosted by Spain, Portugal and Morocco.
Simon will be 35-years-old when the tournament returns in four years. The Paris FC winger has never featured at a World Cup after missing Nigeria's final squad for the 2018 edition in Russia, while the Super Eagles failed to qualify for the 2022 and 2026 tournaments.
Other senior players, including Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi and Victor Osimhen, will also be in their 30s by 2030.
Speaking to Urban Dwell Sport, Simon admitted the pain of missing the World Cup is deeply felt within the squad.
"The players care about the World Cup more than anyone. They want to go to the World Cup. Even if they don't make the team, they want their friends to go to the World Cup. Sorry to say, about 90 or 95 per cent of the players in the current team, they're watching," he said.
"I don't think they will play the next World Cup because the young players are coming up. Eric Chelle is building a new team, a strong team for the nation, which is really good for everyone. So possibly, in 2030, most of us will be supporters, supporting the mission."
Despite accepting his World Cup dream may be over, Simon remains hopeful Nigeria's next generation can make it to the tournament.
"If I don't play at the World Cup, my son will. If my son doesn't, I have players in the academy who will," he continued.
