Iwobi Hopes Super Eagles Can Still Reach 2026 World Cup
Super Eagles midfielder Alex Iwobi has expressed hope that Nigeria can still qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, despite the uncertainty surrounding the team’s campaign.
The Fulham player admitted that the national team is currently in a waiting position as Nigeria hopes for a possible lifeline to the tournament, which will be hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Speaking in an interview, Iwobi reflected on the emotional weight of possibly missing the World Cup and was asked whether he would prefer to win the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations or qualify for the World Cup.
The 29-year-old, who represented Nigeria at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, said the decision was not an easy one and placed the focus on his teammates rather than himself.
“I mean we’re still waiting, well hopefully we can go to the World Cup, but I feel it’s a tough one. It’s a tough one because winning AFCON is like… It’s a great legacy, it’s a great thing to have like in your career, a memorable moment,” Iwobi said.
“But then at the same time, because I’ve been to the World Cup already, a lot of the players haven’t been. They would like to say ‘I want to go to the World Cup,’ so I can’t be selfish and say win the AFCON and for my teammates to not go to the World Cup. So it’s a tough one. I don’t know. I don’t know.”
Iwobi’s cautious optimism reflects the general mood within the Nigeria Football Federation, which is awaiting a decision from FIFA following a petition over Nigeria’s World Cup qualification play-off defeat to the Democratic Republic of Congo.
“We are still waiting. Hopefully we can go to the World Cup,” the midfielder added.
Nigeria’s hopes were dealt a blow after a penalty shootout loss to DR Congo at the Moulay Hassan Stadium in November. However, the Super Eagles’ qualification chances may not yet be over.
The NFF has submitted a formal complaint to FIFA, alleging that DR Congo fielded up to six ineligible players during the decisive match. The case is based on what the federation describes as a “dual nationality trap”, arguing that while FIFA rules allow nationality switches, the Congolese constitution does not permit dual citizenship.
NFF General Secretary, Dr Sanusi Mohammed, has stated that the federation believes it has a strong case.
Despite the uncertainty, Nigeria remain one of Africa’s most talented teams and recently finished third at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, keeping hopes alive for a return to the World Cup stage.
