Tochukwu Nnadi Admits He Dreamed of 2026 World Cup Over AFCON Following Debut

Posted : 16 June 2026

Olympique de Marseille defensive midfielder Tochukwu Nnadi has revealed that his primary career target was representing Nigeria at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The 22-year-old rising star admitted that making the squad for the Africa Cup of Nations came as a complete shock. He explained that his thoughts were entirely fixed on the global tournament instead of the continental showpiece.

The former Zulte Waregem player earned a surprise inclusion in the Super Eagles roster for the 2025 AFCON in Morocco. He subsequently made his senior international debut during a group-stage encounter against Uganda. The midfielder came off the substitute bench to replace experienced striker Paul Onuachu during that milestone match.

Reflecting on his sudden rise to the national team, Nnadi stated that he was conversing with his father on the telephone when the formal invitation arrived. The player noted that he had explicitly told his close friends two years prior that he would participate in the 2026 World Cup. He expressed joy regarding his AFCON participation but insisted that he continues to harbor hunger for bigger achievements.

Unfortunately, Nigeria's hopes of qualifying for the World Cup in North America were permanently dashed. The Super Eagles suffered a dramatic penalty shootout defeat against the Democratic Republic of Congo during the final phase of the African playoffs in November 2025. Despite this team setback, Nnadi has established himself as a reliable asset for the national team selectors.

The combative midfielder enjoyed a highly consistent summer window with the West African powerhouse. He distinguished himself as the sole Nigerian international to start all recent friendly matches against Zimbabwe, Jamaica, Poland, and Portugal. This impressive run of appearances has quickly elevated his total senior international caps to five.

The youngster originally shot into prominence as an integral member of the Flying Eagles team. He featured heavily during the 2023 FIFA under-20 World Cup, where Nigeria recorded famous victories over Italy and Argentina. His steady development in Europe eventually prompted French giants Marseille to secure his services in a six-million-euro transfer deal in February 2026.

Tochukwu Nnadi Admits He Dreamed of 2026 World Cup Over AFCON Following Debut

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