”We are still waiting”- Iwobi Hopeful as Nigeria Awaits FIFA Decision on 2026 World Cup Fate
Super Eagles midfielder Alex Iwobi has expressed cautious optimism about Nigeria’s chances of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, saying the team is currently in a “waiting” phase.
The Nigeria Football Federation has filed a petition with FIFA, challenging Nigeria’s playoff defeat to the Democratic Republic of Congo. The federation alleges that DR Congo fielded up to six ineligible players, citing issues around dual nationality laws.
“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,” he said
Iwobi, who featured at the 2018 World Cup, said choosing between winning the 2025 AFCON and qualifying for the World Cup isn’t straightforward, noting that both goals matter deeply to the team.
Nigeria, fresh off a bronze medal finish at AFCON 2025, now awaits FIFA’s ruling, which could reopen a pathway to the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
