Nigeria isn’t at the 2026 FIFA World Cup; however, they have footballers who are of Nigerian descent in the most-watched football competition.
In the newly expanded FIFA World Cup tournament, the most populous black nation in the world failed to appear among 48 nations vying for the trophy.
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Though the Super Eagles of Nigeria failed to qualify for the tournament, footballers who are of Nigerian origin compete, representing different countries and continents. Some of the ballers are vying for these countries through various means, such as citizenship by birth or naturalization.
In this article, we are looking at footballers who are of mixed race or were born outside the shores of Nigeria; however, they have Nigerian blood within them.
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Eelive.ng gathered that a total of fifteen footballers who are of Nigerian descent will be featuring at the 2026 FIFA World Cup tournament.
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See them below:
Noni Madueke (England)
Chukwunonso Azuka Tristan “Noni” Madueke is an English professional footballer who plays as a winger for Premier League club Arsenal and the England national team.
Both his parents are Nigerians.
Bukayo Saka (England)
Saka is representing the English national team in his second World Cup outing. He is an ever-present superstar for the Three Lions of England and one of the leaders of the new generation.
Both his parents are also Nigerians.
Eberechi Eze (England)
Another Arsenal footballer on the list is Eberechi Eze. He represents the English national team and will be debuting in his first major World Cup tournament this year.
Both his parents are also Nigerians.
Anthonio Nusa (Norway)
Nusa will be representing the Norwegian national team, who are themselves playing in their first FIFA World Cup tournament since 1998.
Nusa was born in Norway to a Norwegian mother and Nigerian father.
Folarin Balogun (USA)
Balogun scored twice for the Stars and Stripes of the United States of America in their 4-1 win against Paraguay to kick off their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign.
Balogun was born in Brooklyn, New York, to Nigerian parents.
Manuel Akanji (Switzerland)
Akanji was born in Neftenbach, Switzerland, to a Swiss mother and a Nigerian father.
He is featuring in his 3rd World Cup tournament for the Swiss national team. He made his World Cup debut in 2018 at the age of 23.
Noah Okafor (Switzerland)
Okafor’s reality is similar to that of Manuel Akanji. Okafor is the son of a Nigerian father and a Swiss mother.
Michael Olise (France)
Olise has one of the most interesting careers on the list. He will be representing the French national team at the 2026 FIFA World Cup; however, he was born in England to a Nigerian father and an Algerian mother.
Carney Chukwuemeka (Austria)
Carney Chibueze Chukwuemeka is a professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder or left winger for Bundesliga club Borussia Dortmund and the Austria national team.
Chukwuemeka was born in Vienna, Austria, to Nigerian parents and was raised in Northampton, England.
David Alaba (Austria)
Experienced Austrian defender David Alaba is one of the most notable personalities on this list. He is the captain of the Austrian national team.
Alaba has a Nigerian father and an Austrian mother.
Felix Nmecha (Germany)
Felix Kalu Nmecha is a German professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Bundesliga club Borussia Dortmund and the Germany national team.
He is the son of a German mother and a Nigerian father.
Jamal Musiala (Germany)
Musiala first played for the German national team at the 2022 FIFA World Cup. He has since established himself as a mainstay for Die Mannschaft.
Musiala was born in Stuttgart, Germany, to his Nigerian-British father, Daniel Richard, and German mother with Polish roots, Carolin Musiala.
Ime Okon (South Africa)
With the population of Nigerians in South Africa, it was only a matter of time before a Nigerian-born person played in the Bafana Bafana national team.
Okon is a native of Florida, South Africa. He was born to a Nigerian father and a South African mother.
Tani Oluwaseyi (Canada)
Tanitoluwa Oluwatimilehin Oluwaseyi is a professional soccer player who plays as a forward for La Liga club Villarreal. Born in Nigeria, he represents the Canadian national team.
Promise David (Canada)
Promise Oluwatobi Emmanuel David Akinpelu is a Canadian professional soccer player who plays as a striker for Belgian Pro League club Union SG and the Canada national team.
Both his parents are Nigerians.