Super Eagles midfielder Alex Iwobi has opened up on Nigeria’s burning ambition to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, admitting that for many players in the squad, reaching football’s biggest stage outweighs even the prestige of winning the Africa Cup of Nations.

Iwobi made the revelation while responding to a hypothetical question on whether he would prefer lifting the AFCON trophy or securing World Cup qualification, offering rare insight into the mindset within the Super Eagles camp as Nigeria continue to battle through a difficult qualifying campaign.

Despite Nigeria’s challenging position in the qualifiers, the Fulham star insisted that belief remains strong among the players.

“We’re still waiting, but hopefully we can go to the World Cup,” Iwobi said, stressing that the team has not given up on its World Cup dream.

The 28-year-old acknowledged the enormous value of winning AFCON, describing it as a career-defining achievement and a lasting legacy.

However, he noted that the World Cup holds a special significance, particularly for players who have never experienced the tournament.

“It’s a tough one because winning AFCON is a great legacy and a memorable achievement,” he explained. “But because I’ve been to the World Cup already, I know a lot of the players haven’t, and they would love to experience it.”

Iwobi, who represented Nigeria at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, revealed that his personal experience has shaped his outlook, placing the collective dreams of his teammates above individual accolades.

“I can’t be selfish and say we should win AFCON while my teammates miss out on the World Cup,” he admitted. “So it’s a difficult one.”

Nigeria’s hopes of qualifying for the expanded 2026 World Cup remain alive but fragile, with the Super Eagles needing positive results in their remaining fixtures to keep their ambitions on course.