Super Eagles midfielder Alex Iwobi has expressed optimism that Nigeria can still secure qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, despite the uncertainty surrounding their campaign.
Speaking in an interview with SuperSport Football on Thursday, the Fulham star reflected on the emotional toll of potentially missing the tournament and was asked to choose between winning the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations or qualifying for the World Cup.
Iwobi said the Super Eagles are currently in a “waiting” phase, hoping for a favourable outcome that could keep Nigeria’s World Cup dream alive ahead of the tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico. For the 29-year-old, who featured at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, the dilemma goes beyond personal achievement.
“I’ve already been to the World Cup, but a lot of the players haven’t,” Iwobi said. “Winning AFCON is a great legacy and a memorable moment in your career, but I can’t be selfish and choose that if it means my teammates don’t get to experience the World Cup. It’s a tough one.”
His remarks reflect the wider mood within the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), which is awaiting a decision from FIFA following a formal petition over Nigeria’s World Cup qualification play-off defeat to the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The Super Eagles lost the decisive match on penalties at the Moulay Hassan Stadium in November, but the NFF has since challenged the result, accusing DR Congo of fielding up to six ineligible players.
According to the federation, the case hinges on what it describes as a “dual nationality trap,” arguing that while FIFA permits players to switch national allegiance, DR Congo’s constitution does not recognise dual citizenship.
NFF General Secretary, Dr. Sanusi Mohammed, has said the federation is confident in its position and remains hopeful of a favourable ruling. Nigeria, who claimed bronze at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, remain one of Africa’s most gifted sides, but their World Cup fate now rests on FIFA’s final decision.