Italy yet to lock down international future of Tottenham fullback Udogie, can still play for Nigeria

Allnigeriasoccer.com can confirm that exciting Tottenham Hotspur defender Destiny Udogie remains eligible to play international football for the Super Eagles amid confusion in a section of the local media. 

Born in Verona, the 20-year-old qualifies to represent three-time African champions Nigeria through his parents, but Italy remain in pole position for his services and it's only a matter of time before he plays a cap-tying game for the four-time world champions.

Udogie was promoted to Italy's senior national team in October and went on to make his debut in a 2024 European Championship qualifying match against Malta and made his starting debut in a glamour tie versus England, taking his caps to two.

According to Fifa's rules concerning players' eligibility to play for a national team, Udogie can still submit a request for change of association because he held the nationality of Nigeria prior to his first game for Italy and has not been fielded in more than three matches in an official or non-official competition by the Italian Football Federation before turning 21.

In the event that Udogie decides to switch his nationality from Italy to Nigeria, at least three years have to pass by since his last match for gli Azzurri, meaning the earliest date he can play for the Super Eagles is October 18, 2026, approximately three months after the World Cup holding in Canada, Mexico and United States. 

Under the current guidelines, Italy would have locked up the international future of Udogie if he had played in their November internationals against North Macedonia and Ukraine, but the left fullback wasn't called up because he was not in tiptop condition due to a muscle-related injury.

West Ham defender Angelo Ogbonna and former Watford striker Stefano Okaka, who were both born in Italy like Udogie, were eligible to represent the Super Eagles before becoming cap-tied to the Blues. 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

Photo Credit: tottenhamhotspur.com 

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