Super Eagles midfielder Alex Iwobi has said Nigeria continues to harbour hopes of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, despite recent challenges in the team’s campaign.
Speaking on SuperSport Football on Thursday, the 29-year-old reflected on the difficult choices facing the squad, particularly the tension between pursuing continental glory at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and securing a World Cup berth.
“I mean, we’re still waiting, hopefully we can go to the World Cup,” Iwobi said. “But I feel it’s a tough one… winning AFCON is a great legacy, a memorable moment in your career. But then, a lot of players haven’t been to the World Cup. So I can’t be selfish and say win AFCON and let my teammates miss out. It’s a tough one.”
Iwobi, who played for Nigeria at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, noted that the desire of many squad members to experience football’s biggest stage weighs heavily on the team’s collective mindset.
Nigeria’s AFCON 2025 campaign in Morocco ended prematurely, with the Super Eagles exiting before the final. In the World Cup qualifiers, Nigeria drew 1–1 with DR Congo in the playoff final in Rabat but were eliminated after a 4–3 loss on penalties, allowing the Leopards to advance to the inter-confederation playoffs scheduled for March 2026.
Following the result, the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) lodged a formal protest with FIFA, claiming several DR Congo players were ineligible under FIFA rules. DR Congo authorities rejected the claims, asserting all players were cleared to participate.
As of late January, FIFA was still reviewing the petition. Nigerian supporters remain hopeful that a ruling could reopen the country’s path to the 2026 World Cup, potentially through disqualification of DR Congo should eligibility breaches be confirmed.
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