Iwobi Remains Hopeful for Super Eagles’ World Cup Chances Amidst Uncertainty

Super Eagles midfielder Alex Iwobi insists that Nigeria has not given up on qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, despite the team’s precarious position in the campaign.

In an interview with SuperSport Football on Thursday, the Fulham star opened up about the emotional challenges of the qualification journey. He also addressed the difficult choice the team would face if forced to prioritize between winning the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and securing a World Cup berth.

When asked if Nigeria would prefer an AFCON title over a ticket to the global tournament, Iwobi highlighted the conflicting desires within the squad.

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“I mean, we’re still waiting; hopefully, we can go to the World Cup,” he stated. “But I feel it’s a tough one. It’s a tough one because winning AFCON is… a great legacy, a great thing to have 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,” he continued. “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.”

Iwobi, who represented Nigeria at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, emphasized that the ambition of many teammates to play on football’s biggest stage is a significant factor for the team.

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These remarks come as Nigeria’s World Cup qualification hangs in the balance. The Super Eagles’ hopes were dashed after a 1-1 draw against DR Congo in the playoff final in Rabat, with the Leopards securing a spot in the inter-confederation playoffs after a 4-3 penalty shootout victory.

Following the match, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) filed a protest with FIFA, alleging that several DR Congo players were ineligible to participate based on eligibility rules. The Congolese football authorities have denied these claims, stating that all their players were cleared by FIFA and that the result should stand.

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As of late January, FIFA was still reviewing the petition. Nigerian supporters and officials are anxiously awaiting a decision, holding onto the hope that a ruling in their favor could disqualify DR Congo and reopen a path for the Super Eagles to the 2026 finals.