Marseille midfielder Tochukwu Nnadi has revealed that his biggest football dream was to represent Nigeria at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, admitting that his initial focus was not on the Africa Cup of Nations.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup dream ultimately slipped away for Nigeria after a penalty shootout defeat to the Democratic Republic of Congo in the African playoffs in November 2025, ending the Super Eagles’ hopes of reaching the tournament in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
“I Dreamed of the World Cup”
Speaking on AySuga Channel, Nnadi opened up on his emotions after receiving his first senior national team call-up, describing it as both surprising and fulfilling.
“I had dreams of playing in the World Cup, not the AFCON. It was a surprise for me. I was happy,” Nnadi said.
The midfielder admitted that his expectations were initially centered around the global stage rather than continental football, highlighting how highly he rated a World Cup appearance early in his career.
Emotional Call-Up Moment
Nnadi also recalled the moment he learned he had been invited to join the Super Eagles squad, describing it as a personal milestone shared with his family.
“I was on a call with my dad when the invitation came,” he explained.
“I wanted to be in the World Cup because I told my friends two years ago that I had to be at the 2026 World Cup.
“Being in the AFCON was great, but I want more.”
His comments reflect both pride in his rapid rise and ambition to establish himself as a regular figure in the national team setup.
Strong Performances in Nigeria Colours
Since breaking into the senior squad, Nnadi has shown consistency and maturity beyond his experience level.
He was the only player to start all of Nigeria’s recent matches against Zimbabwe, Jamaica, Poland and Portugal, increasing his international appearances to five caps.
The 21-year-old midfielder previously represented Nigeria at youth level, featuring for the Flying Eagles at the 2023 FIFA U20 World Cup, where he impressed with his energy and tactical discipline.
A Future Built on Ambition
Although Nigeria will not feature at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Nnadi’s emergence offers optimism for the future of the Super Eagles midfield.
His rapid progression from youth football to senior international appearances highlights a growing pool of young talent expected to form the backbone of Nigeria’s next qualification campaign.
For Nnadi, the journey is only just beginning, but his ambition remains clear — to return to the global stage and represent Nigeria at a future World Cup.
