'We have Lookman and Osimhen' - Iwobi admits it'll be a shame if Super Eagles miss out on World Cup

Fulham midfielder Alex Iwobi has admitted that it would be a shame if the Super Eagles, with their array of top European-based stars, fail to qualify for the 2026 Fifa World Cup in North America, after missing out on the 2022 edition in Qatar.

Nigeria boast an impressive squad featuring the past and reigning African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman, yet the team have struggled for both goals and consistency during the qualifying campaign.

Eric Chelle's side eventually secured one of the playoff spots as one of the best second-placed teams, thanks to a last-minute strike from Brentford midfielder Frank Onyeka, which proved decisive.

Iwobi, an ever-present figure for the three-time African champions, started all ten of their qualifying matches.

Ahead of this month's crucial playoff clash with Gabon’s Panthers, the former Arsenal midfielder expressed strong belief in Nigeria’s chances, insisting the Super Eagles possess the quality and mentality to compete with any nation on the world stage.

Speaking to CNN, Iwobi said: "We've managed to rescue ourselves from the dead

"We know we have the players and the abilities to compete against any other country in the world.

"We have last year's African best player (Ademola Lookman), the year before that (Victor Osimhen).

"It'll be a shame if we don’t make it, but we have a lot of confidence. We just have to prove it to ourselves."

Iwobi, who featured for Nigeria at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, started in the opening game against Croatia before coming off the bench in subsequent fixtures against Iceland and Argentina.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

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