SPORT NEWS: IWOBI HOLDS ON TO HOPE AS SUPER EAGLES AWAIT WORLD CUP LIFELINE

IWOBI HOLDS ON TO HOPE AS SUPER EAGLES AWAIT WORLD CUP LIFELINE


Super Eagles midfielder Alex Iwobi has expressed cautious optimism that Nigeria could still qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, despite the uncertainty surrounding the team’s qualification campaign.

Speaking during an interview on SuperSport Football on Thursday, the 29-year-old reflected on the emotional strain of the qualification race and the difficult choices facing the national team amid mixed results.

When asked whether Nigeria would trade an Africa Cup of Nations triumph for a World Cup ticket, Iwobi described the dilemma as complex, noting the different experiences within the squad.

“We’re still waiting, and hopefully we can go to the World Cup,” he said. “It’s a tough decision because winning AFCON is a great legacy and a memorable achievement. But at the same time, many players haven’t experienced the World Cup before. ”

Iwobi, who featured for Nigeria at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, said he could not be selfish in prioritising continental success over the global ambitions of his teammates.

“Some of the boys really want to go to the World Cup. I can’t say win AFCON and deny them that opportunity. It’s a difficult balance,” he added.

Nigeria’s AFCON 2025 campaign, hosted in Morocco between December 2025 and January 2026, ended before the final, adding to the disappointment of a challenging international season.

The Super Eagles’ World Cup qualification hopes suffered a major setback following a 1–1 draw with DR Congo in the playoff final in Rabat. DR Congo advanced after winning 4–3 on penalties, securing a place in the inter-confederation playoffs scheduled for March 2026.

However, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has since filed a petition with FIFA, alleging that some DR Congo players were ineligible under existing regulations.

While DR Congo’s football authorities have dismissed the claims, insisting that all players were cleared by FIFA, Nigeria’s petition remains under review.

As of late January, FIFA had yet to issue a ruling, leaving Nigeria’s World Cup fate uncertain. Officials of the NFF are said to be awaiting a formal response, with supporters hoping that a favourable decision could reopen the Super Eagles’ path to the 2026 tournament.

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