Players With Nigerian Origin Featuring At The 2026 FIFA World Cup - Sports - Nairaland
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| Players With Nigerian Origin Featuring At The 2026 FIFA World Cup by johnie(op): 2:29pm On Jun 07 |
The number of players of Nigerian origin featuring in this World Cup Nigeria won't be playing in is amazing. Almost a full team! 2 Likes 1 Share |
| Re: Players With Nigerian Origin Featuring At The 2026 FIFA World Cup by johnie(op): 2:31pm On Jun 07*. Modified: 11:17am On Jun 11 |
Noah Okafor Owen Goodman Tani Oluwaseyi Promise David Folarin Balogun Manuel Akanji David Alaba Antonio Nusa Jamal Musiala Carney Chukwuemeka Ime Okon Michael Olise Felix Nmecha Bukayo Saka Eberechi Eze Noni Madueke Which of these players is your favourite? Who do you think will make the most impact at the 2026 World Cup? Experience of being scapegoated as a player of foreign origin https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ulSo0hgR2qg https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8HMO1Y-CfI?si=AGXHwVsqcIESZuNX https://www.nairaland.com/8686330/players-nigerian-origin-featuring-2026#139654329 https://www.nairaland.com/8686330/players-nigerian-origin-featuring-2026#139654379 Impact of early childhood on choices later in life I love this analysis https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_nc0Qx0rQk?si=qeAkZaJsucrlaHby Push back against players of foreign origin: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tEuqSQuZNy0 ----*---------*-----*-----*-------- England Bukayo Saka The world-class winger was born in London to Nigerian parents. https://www.nairaland.com/8686330/players-nigerian-origin-featuring-2026/2#139680582 https://www.nairaland.com/8686330/players-nigerian-origin-featuring-2026/2#139680701 Eberechi Eze The creative midfielder previously trained with Nigeria's youth setups before committing to England. https://www.nairaland.com/8686330/players-nigerian-origin-featuring-2026/2#139680487 Noni Madueke The exciting winger breaks into Thomas Tuchel's squad https://www.nairaland.com/8686330/players-nigerian-origin-featuring-2026/2#139680433 ----*---------*-----*-----*-------- Norway Antonio Nusa Born in Norway to a Norwegian mother and a Nigerian father, he is currently representing Norway. Renowned for his explosive pace, magnetic close control, and game-breaking dribbling ability, he is widely regarded as one of Europe's most exciting young wingers and has often been compared to Neymar for his style of play. https://www.nairaland.com/8686330/players-nigerian-origin-featuring-2026/2#139682291 16 Likes 2 Shares
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| Re: Players With Nigerian Origin Featuring At The 2026 FIFA World Cup by johnie(op): 2:31pm On Jun 07*. Modified: 8:01am On Jun 11 |
Germany Jamal Musiala The superstar playmaker was born to a Nigerian father and a German mother. https://www.nairaland.com/8686330/players-nigerian-origin-featuring-2026/2#139681270 Felix Nmecha The midfielder, born in Germany to a Nigerian father, features in Julian Nagelsmann's side. https://www.nairaland.com/8686330/players-nigerian-origin-featuring-2026/2#139681022 6 Likes
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| Re: Players With Nigerian Origin Featuring At The 2026 FIFA World Cup by johnie(op): 2:32pm On Jun 07*. Modified: 7:26am On Jun 11 |
Canada Tani Oluwaseyi The forward brings a strong diaspora presence to one of the tournament co-hosts. https://www.nairaland.com/8686330/players-nigerian-origin-featuring-2026/2#139680392 Promise David The physical striker strengthens Canada’s attacking depth. https://www.nairaland.com/8686330/players-nigerian-origin-featuring-2026/2#139680365 Owen Goodman The young goalkeeper secures a spot on the Canadian roster. I think the analysis on third party culture in the formative ages in the first video here was brilliant! https://www.nairaland.com/8686330/players-nigerian-origin-featuring-2026/2#139680250 5 Likes
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| Re: Players With Nigerian Origin Featuring At The 2026 FIFA World Cup by johnie(op): 2:33pm On Jun 07*. Modified: 7:23am On Jun 11 |
Switzerland Manuel Akanji The defensive rock was born to a Swiss mother and a Nigerian father. Manuel is a human calculator and has a tattoo of the eagle symbolising the Super Eagle on his arm https://www.nairaland.com/8686330/players-nigerian-origin-featuring-2026/2#139680144 Noah Okafor The versatile forward has deep Nigerian ancestral roots. https://www.nairaland.com/8686330/players-nigerian-origin-featuring-2026/2#139680118 5 Likes
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| Re: Players With Nigerian Origin Featuring At The 2026 FIFA World Cup by rickpat(m): 2:35pm On Jun 07 |
Antonio nusa of norway 6 Likes |
| Re: Players With Nigerian Origin Featuring At The 2026 FIFA World Cup by johnie(op): 2:36pm On Jun 07*. Modified: 7:19am On Jun 11 |
Austria David Alaba The veteran captain and icon has a Nigerian father https://www.nairaland.com/8686330/players-nigerian-origin-featuring-2026/2#139678751. Carney Chukwuemeka The midfielder chose to represent Austria after progressing through England's youth ranks https://www.nairaland.com/8686330/players-nigerian-origin-featuring-2026/1#139677842 3 Likes 2 Shares
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| Re: Players With Nigerian Origin Featuring At The 2026 FIFA World Cup by johnie(op): 2:37pm On Jun 07*. Modified: 7:17am On Jun 11 |
France Michael Olise The highly coveted winger was eligible for Nigeria through his father but officially accepted France's call-up https://www.nairaland.com/8686330/players-nigerian-origin-featuring-2026#139671231 https://www.nairaland.com/8686330/players-nigerian-origin-featuring-2026#139673694 https://www.nairaland.com/8686330/players-nigerian-origin-featuring-2026/1#139675867 Michael Olise is not related to Sunday Oliseh Oliseh clarified a minor misconception about his relationship with Olise, stemming from the similarity of their names. “This is why our people are funny. Some even sent messages asking why I sabotaged us—’ Your son went to play for France,'” Oliseh said. “He’s not my son, and his own Olise does not even have an ‘h’ at the end of it.” https://www.thecable.ng/oliseh-i-get-angry-when-michael-olise-plays-for-france-he-belongs-to-eagles/ 6 Likes
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| Re: Players With Nigerian Origin Featuring At The 2026 FIFA World Cup by johnie(op): 2:38pm On Jun 07*. Modified: 7:05am On Jun 11 |
United States Folarin Balogun The striker, born in New York to Nigerian parents, leads the frontline for the host nation. https://www.nairaland.com/8686330/players-nigerian-origin-featuring-2026#139660352 https://www.nairaland.com/8686330/players-nigerian-origin-featuring-2026#139661883 https://www.nairaland.com/8686330/players-nigerian-origin-featuring-2026#139664229 12 Likes
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| Re: Players With Nigerian Origin Featuring At The 2026 FIFA World Cup by johnie(op): 2:39pm On Jun 07*. Modified: 7:06am On Jun 11 |
South Africa Probably the most surprising. Ime Okon The defender has successfully integrated into Hugo Broos' defensive plans for Bafana Bafana. https://www.nairaland.com/8686330/players-nigerian-origin-featuring-2026#139649397 Reaction of South Africans to Okon's call up: https://www.nairaland.com/8686330/players-nigerian-origin-featuring-2026#139650919 7 Likes 1 Share
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| Re: Players With Nigerian Origin Featuring At The 2026 FIFA World Cup by papiSNEH(m): 2:40pm On Jun 07 |
country:- Brazil Player name:- Jagabandinho ancestry :- no trace 164 Likes 7 Shares |
| Re: Players With Nigerian Origin Featuring At The 2026 FIFA World Cup by workchopNG: 4:34pm On Jun 07 |
Lots of good players, wish all of them the best 1 Like |
| Re: Players With Nigerian Origin Featuring At The 2026 FIFA World Cup by Axis313(m): 5:13pm On Jun 07 |
David Alaba once said that he wants to play for Nigeria,but those people in the NFF told him to pay them certain amounts before he will get call up, that's why he opted for Austria. I am sure the stories of most of the players above won't be too much different from David Alaba own. 151 Likes 1 Share |
| Re: Players With Nigerian Origin Featuring At The 2026 FIFA World Cup by PulaPower: 5:23pm On Jun 07 |
Country:- Brazil Player name:- Jagabandinho Haha.. 127 Likes 1 Share |
| Re: Players With Nigerian Origin Featuring At The 2026 FIFA World Cup by MarketDispatch: 5:24pm On Jun 07 |
Interesting... Nigeria is everywhere you go. Which one is Jagabandingo again 14 Likes 1 Share |
| Re: Players With Nigerian Origin Featuring At The 2026 FIFA World Cup by scoresight: 7:08pm On Jun 07 |
This is the bittersweet one. The Naija diaspora talent is everywhere — England, USA, Canada and others all have players with Nigerian roots. It's a reminder the talent pipeline was never the problem; it's everything around the national setup. Genuinely interested to see how many start vs come off the bench. If even half of them were in green, the qualification conversation would've looked very different. 2 Likes |
| Re: Players With Nigerian Origin Featuring At The 2026 FIFA World Cup by franchasng: 8:07pm On Jun 07 |
I can't wait to watch Jagabandinho score some balablu bulaba goals for Brazil  21 Likes 1 Share |
| Re: Players With Nigerian Origin Featuring At The 2026 FIFA World Cup by FirstCounsel(m): 10:03pm On Jun 07 |
36 Likes 1 Share |
| Re: Players With Nigerian Origin Featuring At The 2026 FIFA World Cup by papiSNEH(m): 6:36am On Jun 08 |
FirstCounsel:  5 Likes |
| Re: Players With Nigerian Origin Featuring At The 2026 FIFA World Cup by johnie(op): 7:12am On Jun 08*. Modified: 2:12pm On Jun 08 |
johnie:Ime Okon reflects on Hugo Broos debut as World Cup race heats up By Mazola Molefe 30th March 2026 Bafana Bafana defender Ime Okon says he felt comfortable in his first appearance under coach Hugo Broos during Friday’s 1-1 draw against Panama in Durban. Although he has previously represented the national side at COSAFA Cup level, the clash marked his first real opportunity to impress Broos within the senior set-up. The 22-year-old Germany-based centre back believes he made a solid impression as players look to stake their claim ahead of selection for the upcoming FIFA World Cup. "Yeah, it was good. I think we played very well – just lapse of concentration from us – but besides that, we dominated the whole game. We just need to keep working hard, and we'll see what the future holds," said Okon Asked whether Panama were the ideal test for Bafana’s opener against Mexico at the global showpiece, Okon said they were similarities. Okon expects Bafana to improve when they face Panama again in Cape Town as the two sides now know each other better. "I think we've now seen how they play, so I think our preparation towards the next game will be much better so we are hoping to get the win the next time." https://www.sabcsport.com/soccer/news/ime-okon-reflects-on-hugo-broos-debut-as-world-cup-race-heats-up https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IcXI-xiMGGA https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cUATU5n5iZw?si=_-NlI1RtCmYF6Klv |
| Re: Players With Nigerian Origin Featuring At The 2026 FIFA World Cup by johnie(op): 9:48am On Jun 08 |
| Re: Players With Nigerian Origin Featuring At The 2026 FIFA World Cup by seppuku: 2:40pm On Jun 08 |
johnie:I wish him well. I hope he is not scapegoated by our fellow South Africans who don't like anything Nigerian. 2 Likes 1 Share |
| Re: Players With Nigerian Origin Featuring At The 2026 FIFA World Cup by johnie(op): 3:13pm On Jun 08 |
johnie:Seppuku, watch the two videos in this post. Some are already setting the stage, but he has supporters too. My prayer is that he does exceptionally well. We've seen similar scape-goating, even in England: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ulSo0hgR2qg 1 Like |
| Re: Players With Nigerian Origin Featuring At The 2026 FIFA World Cup by johnie(op): 3:19pm On Jun 08 |
johnie: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3FWGhuHTZBE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IhBLDai1usk |
| Re: Players With Nigerian Origin Featuring At The 2026 FIFA World Cup by seppuku: 3:27pm On Jun 08 |
johnie:Yes, I have seen similar videos circulating. No doubt he will be harassed the poor boy if he doesn't live up to expectation. We know our bradas down South very well. 3 Likes |
| Re: Players With Nigerian Origin Featuring At The 2026 FIFA World Cup by RandDigital: 9:41pm On Jun 08 |
seppuku:I guess you'll be watching the opening match after all together with an estimated record 1.2 billion viewers on Thursday 🇲🇽vs🇿🇦 - after you threatened to boycott all SA matches. 2 Likes |
| Re: Players With Nigerian Origin Featuring At The 2026 FIFA World Cup by seppuku: 9:56pm On Jun 08*. Modified: 10:12pm On Jun 08 |
RandDigital:No Mfethu I won't. No support for you this world cup. I still wish the boy success though. I consider him a true patriot who still wishes to play for a country that are intolerant of anything "Black foreigner" 9 Likes 1 Share |
| Re: Players With Nigerian Origin Featuring At The 2026 FIFA World Cup by johnie(op): 8:27am On Jun 09*. Modified: 4:40am On Jun 11 |
johnie:He would like to see Nigeria host the World Cup after 2034: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3N_3RL8aqwc |
| Re: Players With Nigerian Origin Featuring At The 2026 FIFA World Cup by johnie(op): 11:03am On Jun 09 |
johnie: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YbetODDh2f8 |
| Re: Players With Nigerian Origin Featuring At The 2026 FIFA World Cup by johnie(op): 3:25pm On Jun 09 |
johnie: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=16JT02Xzzzg Balogun reminds me of Obafemi Martins: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjbyj4W3sqc?si=_NqoQnJO0uP2XVyN |
| Re: Players With Nigerian Origin Featuring At The 2026 FIFA World Cup by johnie(op): 9:24am On Jun 10*. Modified: 4:42am On Jun 11 |
johnie:Mr. Nonchalant was eligible to play for four countries before settling for France - England, Algeria, France, Nigeria. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7xzNxSSiwHo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T0tBO3t2hcE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=USJBsfTZ5q4 |
| Re: Players With Nigerian Origin Featuring At The 2026 FIFA World Cup by johnie(op): 1:47pm On Jun 10 |
johnie: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Y50zc2m57s?si=TCQfKhxvAq9LIKax |
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