Super Eagles Still Hopeful of 2026 World Cup Qualification – Iwobi

• Iwobi Says Super Eagles Still Hopeful of 2026 World Cup Qualification
• He describes AFCON title versus World Cup spot as a difficult choice.
• FIFA review of Nigeria’s protest keeps qualification hopes alive.

Super Eagles midfielder, Alex Iwobi, has said Nigeria is not giving up on its hope of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup despite the uncertainty surrounding the team’s campaign.

Speaking on SuperSport Football on Thursday, the 29 year old reflected on the emotional pressure of the qualification race and the difficult balance between continental success and securing a place at football’s biggest tournament.

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that when asked whether Nigeria would choose an Africa Cup of Nations title over World Cup qualification, Iwobi described the decision as complicated, shaped by the different experiences within the squad.

“I mean, we’re still waiting, 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,” he said.

Iwobi, who represented Nigeria at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, noted that many members of the current squad are strongly motivated by the desire to experience the World Cup for the first time.

His comments followed Nigeria’s disappointing AFCON 2025 campaign in Morocco, where the Super Eagles exited the tournament before the final held between December 2025 and January 2026.

Nigeria’s qualification hopes suffered another blow after a 1 1 draw with DR Congo in the playoff final in Rabat. The Leopards advanced after winning 4 3 on penalties, securing a place in the inter confederation playoffs scheduled for March 2026.

The Nigeria Football Federation has since submitted a protest to FIFA, alleging that some DR Congo players were ineligible. DR Congo authorities have rejected the claims, insisting all players were cleared by FIFA.

As of late January, FIFA was still reviewing the petition, leaving Nigeria’s World Cup hopes hanging in the balance.