Super Eagles midfielder Alex Iwobi has voiced optimism that Nigeria can still clinch a spot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup despite the uncertainty surrounding their qualification campaign.
The Fulham star said the national team is currently in a “waiting” phase, hoping for a possible opening that could keep Nigeria’s World Cup dream alive ahead of the tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
In an interview on Thursday with SuperSport Football, Iwobi reflected on the emotional impact of potentially missing the World Cup and was posed a hypothetical choice: winning the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations or securing qualification for the World Cup. For the 29-year-old, who featured at Russia 2018, the answer goes beyond personal ambition and centres on the aspirations of his teammates.
“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.
“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 wider mood within the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), which is awaiting a decision from FIFA following its formal 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.”
Despite a painful penalty shootout loss to DR Congo at the Moulay Hassan Stadium in November, the
Super Eagles’ qualification hopes may not yet be extinguished. The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has filed a petition with FIFA, accusing the Congolese team of using as many as six ineligible players in the decisive match.
The federation’s complaint is based on what it describes as a “dual nationality trap,” arguing that although FIFA rules allow players to switch national allegiance, the Democratic Republic of Congo’s constitution does not recognise dual citizenship.
NFF General Secretary, Dr. Sanusi Mohammed, said the federation is confident of its case.
Nigeria, who recently won bronze at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, are widely seen as one of Africa’s most gifted teams.
