It remains an unmitigated disaster that the Super Eagles of Nigeria will not be one of the 10 African teams at the 2026 World Cup.
However, even in their absence Nigeria will be represented in no less than eight of this year’s World Cup finalists to further underline the abundance of footballing talent home and abroad.
SCORENigeria lists the Naija boys who will be gunning for glory in the USA, Canada and Mexico this summer.
16.Felix Nmecha (Germany)
Born to a German mother and a Nigerian father, his second name is Kalu. He has represented Germany and England at youth international levels. The Borussia Dortmund star, 25, has won six full international caps for Germany since his debut three years ago and a goal to his name. His older brother Lukas Nmecha plays for Leeds in the Premier League.
15.Jamal Musiala (Germany)
The Bayern Munich forward has recovered from a long-term injury from last year’s FIFA Club World Cup to make the final cut to this World Cup. At the Mundial, he will be wearing the jersey No 10 that has been made famous by the likes of Pele, Maradona and Messi.
14.Ime Okon (South Africa)
It is a big irony that this defender born to Nigerian parents will feature for the Bafana Bafana of South Africa, the team who beat the Super Eagles to the automatic ticket to this year’s Mundial. The 22-year-old Okon is now playing regularly for German club Hannover ’96 and will be one of a number of foreign pros in the South African party .
13.Antonio Nusa (Norway)
The highly-rated RB Liepzig winger has a Nigerian father and has again been outstanding this past season to attract top clubs across Europe. This tournament could well decide his next destination as well as his price tag.
12.Folarin Balogun (USA)
He has enjoyed another stellar season with French Ligue 1 outfit AS Monaco and he is now expected to carry such form to World Cup co-hosts USA. After some niggling injuries, he has justified his 30 million euros price tag when he moved from Arsenal in August 2023.
11.Manuel Akanji (Switzerland)
The defender is one of the vastly experienced players Switzerland will be counting on to go very far at the World Cup. He has rediscovered himself in Italy after some difficulties at Manchester City in the Premier League.
10. Noah Okafor (Switzerland)
After a subdued loan spell at Napoli, the forward is back to top reckoning with Leeds United in the Premier League. He scored some crucial goals to ensure Leeds stayed put in the English top league. The Swiss also hope his goals will come in handy at the highest level.
9.Owen Goodman (Canada)
The 22-year-old goalkeeper was born in London before his parents moved to Canada. His middle name is Olamidayo to show off his Nigerian ancestry. After representing both England and Canada at youth levels, he finally opted for Canada at full international and was granted Canadian citizenship in October 2025.
8.Promise David (Canada)
He opted to represent the World Cup co-hosts even after he played an official game for the Nigeria U23s. He scored on his debut against Ukraine. The previous season, he played a major role for Union St.Gilloise to win the Belgian league. However, he suffered a long-term injury this season and adversely affected bus progress for club and country. Will Premier League suitors come back knocking after he has fired a couple of goals at this World Cup?
7. Tani Oluwaseyi (Canada)
The Abuja-born striker transferred from the MLS in the USA to Spanish La Liga club Villarreal this past season. The left-footed striker got off to a flying start in Spain, but he has since slowed down. Will the World Cup now be the stage to prove his class?
6.David Alaba (Austria)
Long-serving captain of the Austrian team, who will hope to use the World Cup as a launch pad after injury marred his time at Spanish giants Real Madrid. He is the son of Nigerian disc jockey (DJ)
5.Carney Chukwuemeka (Austria)
The Borussia Dortmund midfielder, 22, was also eligible to play for England, where he was born, and Nigeria through his parents, but he instead opted for Austria. He has recovered in time for the World Cup after he was injured in March.
4.Noni Madueke (England)
A Premier League champion with Arsenal after he moved across London from Chelsea. He is full of tricks on the wings and that will come in handy if England were to unlock some of the tightest defences in world football.
3. Eberechi Eze (England)
He is buzzing after he won the Premier League in his first season with Arsenal after his switch from fellow Londoners Crystal Palace. He has turned around his career after several rejections including by Arsenal when he started out. Did he make the right choice to stick with The Three Lions and not the Super Eagles, where he would have been guaranteed an automatic Starting XI spot?
2.Bukayo Saka (England)
He is one of three players from newly-crowned Premier League champions Arsenal, whose roots are in Nigeria. On a good day, he is simply unstoppable and now with the recent accomplishments of The Gunners, he will be high on confidence going into the tournament.
1.Michael Olise (France)
The elegant winger has literally been flying with both France and Bayern Munich this season so much so that he is even being mentioned in the conversation for the Ballon d’Or. Star-studded France will again be one of the favourites to win this expanded World Cup and one of the reasons has to do with the form of Olise, who could also have played for Algeria through his mother or England, where he was born.
Good reflection,
But you forgot Jamal Musiala and Felix Nmecha for Germany, as well as Owen Goodman for Canada. Perhaps a few others with countries we may not even consider to check.
Nigeria is indeed blessed with talents all over the world.
Musial, Nmecha, Goodman added now. Thanks