No regret missing out on 2026 World Cup – Iwobi

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Super Eagles midfielder Alex Iwobi talks about his 100th cap for Nigeria, missing the 2026 World Cup, Austin ‘Jay Jay’ Okocha’s role in his international career, his most memorable goal in green-and-white and more in this World Cup special interview with PETER AKINBO

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Aside from missing out on the 2026 World Cup, do you have any other regrets about your international career?

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In life, there is always room for improvement. Of course, I would have liked to win the AFCON, and I would have liked to be participating in the 2026 World Cup. But for me, in life, there are no regrets, because your story could have changed. You never know how it could have turned out. So I am happy to be where I am today. Everything that happened in the past, the big achievements and the lessons, I would not change anything.

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Take us back to your first international game.

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Ten years ago, I think my first international game was against Congo, with Sunday Oliseh as coach. It was a good experience. It was crazy because I had represented England in the past, so I already had that international experience, but to play for the first team was amazing. To be fair, the team and the staff made me feel welcome.

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How much influence did Austin ‘Jay Jay’ Okocha have on your decision to play for Nigeria?

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I did not feel any pressure, and they just allowed me to go and express myself. To be fair, he has always been a part of my life and my football. He always said, “Go and do what you feel is right, go and enjoy your football.” Of course, my family is Nigerian, and he is a Nigerian legend, so the advice I got from my parents and from him was that before I made a decision on where I wanted to play, I should give Nigeria a trial and see how I felt. I actually went to the U-23s and experienced it for myself, and I felt a lot like I was at home. No disrespect to England, because I had a good time there, but Nigeria is where my house is, where my home is, where my heart is. He did influence me a bit, but at the end of the day, it was ultimately my decision.

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Which of your goals for Nigeria means the most to you?

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The goal I scored against Zambia to send us to the 2018 World Cup is my favourite; then, it was not about the stakes, even though it sent us to the World Cup. It was simply because my parents were in the stands. My mum and dad were watching in Nigeria, and being able to celebrate with them, the only person I missed was my sister at the time, who was not able to come and celebrate. But being able to celebrate with my mum and my dad was an amazing feeling. That is who I do it for, and it has always been who I do it for. It was a great feeling for me to celebrate that moment with them.

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Looking back at your journey, do you consider yourself a legend of the game?

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I would not say I am a legend. I will leave that to the people. If the fans, my friends and my family decide I am a legend, then yes. But I just say that I am a Nigerian Super Eagles player. It has been an honour to represent Nigeria, and hopefully I will be able to achieve another 100 more. I am happy to make 100 appearances for my country, and for a nation like Nigeria, that is a big achievement, because we have so many talented players. I appreciate the players I have played with and the staff and coaches who have called me up so many times. I am proud to be where I am today.

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What would you say to your younger self, looking back at everything you have achieved?

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There are going to be bad days, days where you are not feeling 100 per cent, but always continue to smile and always continue to believe, because you do not know how many people you are affecting; you do not know how many people you are influencing just by being yourself. So to the younger Alex, if I were talking to myself, I would say, “Just keep on being you.”

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Finally, does missing this World Cup change how you feel about your international career?

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No. I am happy to be where I am today, and I have no regrets. Everything that has happened in the past, the achievements and the lessons, I would not change any of it.

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