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Super Eagles midfielder Alex Iwobi has expressed cautious optimism that Nigeria may still secure a place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, admitting that the team is currently in a waiting phase.
The Fulham star made the comments as the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) awaits a decision from FIFA over a formal petition challenging the Super Eagles’ qualifying playoff defeat.
Speaking in an interview with SuperSport Football, Iwobi was asked whether he would rather win the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) or qualify for the World Cup. The midfielder, who represented Nigeria at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, admitted the decision was a difficult one, especially when considering his teammates.
“We’re still waiting, and hopefully we can go to the World Cup,” Iwobi said. “It’s a tough one because winning AFCON is a great legacy and something memorable in your career. But at the same time, I’ve already been to the World Cup, and a lot of the players haven’t.”
He added that many of his teammates dream of featuring on football’s biggest stage, making it hard for him to choose AFCON glory over World Cup qualification.
“I can’t be selfish and say we should win AFCON while my teammates miss out on the World Cup. So it’s a really tough decision. I honestly don’t know,” he said.
The NFF’s petition to FIFA stems from Nigeria’s penalty shootout loss to the Democratic Republic of Congo in November. The federation alleges that DR Congo fielded up to six ineligible players, citing a “dual nationality trap” due to provisions in the Congolese constitution that reportedly conflict with FIFA’s rules on nationality switches.
NFF General Secretary, Dr. Sanusi Mohammed, has maintained that the federation has a strong case. With Nigeria fresh off a bronze medal finish at AFCON 2025, the Super Eagles now await FIFA’s ruling, which could determine their path to the 2026 World Cup to be hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
