Iwobi determined to taste World Cup action again

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Fulham FC midfielder, Alex Iwobi is determined to taste FIFA World Cup action again and so is ready to give 100% as the qualifiers for the 2026 edition gets underway this week.

Iwobi is among twenty-three players invited by Super Eagles of Nigeria head coach, Jose Peseiro for 2026 FIFA World Cup matchday one and two games vs  Lesotho and Zimbabwe.

Iwobi who represented Nigeria at the 2018 FIFA World Cup understands the pride and joy it brings and so is eyeing another shot at the world’s grandest football competition with the Super Eagles.

“I would like to be at the World Cup again. Not just me alone but the whole team. We are going to put 100% to make sure we get another chance to bring the nation joy and the sense of pride that we represent the team at the World Cup hopefully again.”

Nigeria’s first game will be vs the Crocodiles of Lesotho on Thursday, November 16, 2023 at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo.

In preparation for that game, Iwobi and twenty-two other Eagles had their first training session on Tuesday, few hours after arriving in camp.

Iwobi said of the first training session: “Today’s training wasn’t too intense as we prepare for Lesotho. Everyone have arrive in camp and we are really preparing for the game. I am sure we will analyse them and get the result that will make us to qualify.

He added “It’s a blessing that we have lots of players and lots of quality in the side. Everyone is going to be needed. That’s why it is a squad mentality.”

Nigeria is drawn in group A alongside Lesotho, Zimbabwe, Rwanda, Benin Republic and South Africa in the race for nine automatic qualification spots for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The Super Eagles missed the 2022 FIFA World Cup after falling short at the qualification playoff to bitter-rivals, Ghana in March 2022.