Iwobi Remains Hopeful for Super Eagles' 2026 World Cup Bid

Alex Iwobi, a midfielder for the Super Eagles, has shared his tempered optimism that Nigeria might still be in the running for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, expressing that the team is presently in a waiting phase.

Iwobi's remarks come at a time when the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) is anticipating a decision from FIFA regarding a formal appeal linked to the team's loss in a qualifying playoff.

In a recent discussion with Supersport Football, when queried about his preference between clinching the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title or qualifying for the World Cup, Iwobi emphasized the ambitions held by his teammates. The midfielder, who made his World Cup debut in 2018 in Russia, indicated that determining his personal preference is complex.

"We’re still waiting; hopefully, we can make it to the World Cup, but it’s a tough situation. Winning AFCON is a remarkable achievement and a moment to cherish in one's career," Iwobi stated. "However, since I’ve experienced the World Cup already, many players haven’t had that chance. They desire to say, ‘I want to play in the World Cup,’ so it wouldn’t be fair for me to prioritize winning AFCON over their World Cup aspirations. It’s a challenging decision; I’m uncertain."

The petition filed by the NFF to FIFA contests Nigeria’s defeat by penalty shootout to the Democratic Republic of Congo in the previous November. The federation claims that the Congolese squad fielded several ineligible players, pointing to a possible conflict arising from the DR Congo's constitution, which prohibits dual citizenship and contravenes FIFA rules on nationality changes.

Dr. Sanusi Mohammed, the NFF General Secretary, has asserted that the federation possesses a robust case. Following their recent success in securing a bronze medal at AFCON 2025, Nigeria now awaits a ruling from FIFA that may open a path for participation in the 2026 World Cup, scheduled to take place across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.