Super Eagles midfielder Alex Iwobi has stated that Nigeria continues to maintain a legitimate expectation of qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, notwithstanding the prevailing uncertainty surrounding the national team’s qualification campaign.
In an interview granted to SuperSport Football on Thursday, the 29-year-old addressed the psychological strain associated with the qualification process and the complex considerations confronting the team in the event it were compelled to choose between continental success and participation in the FIFA World Cup.
When questioned on whether Nigeria would be willing to exchange an Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title for qualification to the World Cup, Iwobi acknowledged that the issue presents significant difficulty due to the differing circumstances and aspirations within the squad.
He explained that while an AFCON victory represents a substantial professional achievement and an enduring legacy for any player, the matter is complicated by the fact that many members of the current squad have not previously featured at a World Cup. Having already participated in the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, Iwobi stated that he could not, in good conscience, prioritize continental success at the expense of denying his teammates the opportunity to appear on football’s most prominent global stage.
Iwobi further noted that the collective desire of numerous players to experience a World Cup has been a significant factor influencing the team’s overall mindset.
These remarks follow Nigeria’s exit from the AFCON 2025 tournament, held in Morocco between December 2025 and January 2026, where the Super Eagles were eliminated prior to the final.
Nigeria’s World Cup qualification hopes were further jeopardized following a 1–1 draw against the Democratic Republic of Congo in the playoff final in Rabat. DR Congo subsequently secured advancement by winning the penalty shootout 4–3, thereby earning a place in the inter-confederation playoffs scheduled for March 2026.
In response, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) formally submitted a petition to FIFA, alleging that certain DR Congo players were ineligible under applicable eligibility regulations. The Congolese football authorities have denied the allegations, asserting that all participating players were duly cleared by FIFA and that the match outcome should stand.
As of late January, the matter remains under review by FIFA. Supporters and stakeholders continue to await a determination that could potentially revive Nigeria’s qualification prospects, including the possibility of DR Congo’s disqualification should the alleged breaches be substantiated.
Officials of the NFF are understood to be awaiting FIFA’s decision, as uncertainty persists regarding Nigeria’s pathway to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.#newsafro_
