Nigerian-Born Stars Set to Shine in the US, Canada and Mexico News

Navigation: Home / News / Columnists / Nigerian-Born Stars Set to Shine in the US, Canada and Mexico

Nigerian-Born Stars Set to Shine in the US, Canada and Mexico

By Obiako Chris Okechukwu on June 10, 2026

Just two days to the opening ceremony of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Finals, 48 countries from across the world are storming the US, Canada and Mexico with strong momentum.

All of them are harbouring realistic hopes of breaking new ground at the tournament.

Others, while still trying to resolve lingering issues, still believe they could give prominent football-playing nations a run for their money.

Although the Super Eagles failed to qualify for the Mundial, at least 16 players of Nigerian descent are representing nine other nations at the finals.

This diaspora represents a significant chunk of global talent, spanning across Europe and the Americas.

Here's a lowdown of Nigerian-born stars gearing up to show-case their talent at this year's tournament:

England

1. Bukayo Saka (Arsenal) – Born in London to Yoruba parents.

2. Eberechi Eze (Arsenal) – Born in London to Igbo parents.

3. Noni Madueke (Chelsea) – Born in Barnet, London.

Germany

1. Jamal Musiala (Bayern Munich) – Eligible through his British-Nigerian father.

2. Felix Nmecha (Borussia Dortmund) – Born in Germany to Nigerian parents, previously played for England youth teams.

France

Michael Olise (Bayern Munich) – Born in England to a British-Nigerian father.

Austria

1.David Alaba (Real Madrid) – Born in Vienna to a Yoruba Nigerian father.

2. Carney Chukwuemeka (Borussia Dortmund) – Born in Austria to Nigerian parents, switched allegiance from England to Austria in March 2026.

Switzerland

1. Manuel Akanji (Manchester City) – Born in Switzerland to a Nigerian father.

2.Noah Okafor (AC Milan) – Born in Switzerland to a Nigerian father.

United States

Folarin Balogun (Monaco) – Born in New York, eligible through his Nigerian parents.

Canada

1. Tani Oluwaseyi (Minnesota United) – Raised in Canada after moving from Nigeria.

2. Promise David (St. Louis CITY) – Forward with Nigerian heritage.

3. Owen Goodman (Crystal Palace) – Goalkeeper eligible for Nigeria, England, and Canada.

Norway

Antonio Nusa (RB Leipzig) – Forward of Nigerian descent.

South Africa

Ime Okon (Hannover 96) – Defender for Bafana Bafana with Nigerian roots.

WHEN WILL NIGERIA FOOTBALL FEDERATION (NFF) OFFICIALS GET THINGS RIGHT?

When the draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup Finals was made, giving Africa NINE automatic and one play-off slots, Super Eagles of Nigeria were tipped as one of the first countries to 'grab the World Cup ticket and run with it'.

That NONE of the slots - including a back-door play-off opportunity - went the way of the three-time African champions, left Nigeria's football big-wigs scratching their heads, and millions of Nigerian fans bemused and bewildered.

While the NFF officials are still engrossed in finger-pointing, trading of blames and shifting of responsibilities, Morocco, Egypt, Tunisia, Algeria, South Africa, even our West African neighbours, Ghana, Senegal, Ivory Coast and three other African nations, are basking in the euphoria of being part of the FIRST Mundial to be hosted by three countries.

2031 FIFA WORLD CUP FINALS: WHAT TO DO TO AVOID A CALAMITY

Few weeks after Black Stars of Ghana booted the Super Eagles out of the 2022 World Cup Finals in Qatar, then NFF President, Amaju Pinnick, and his cohorts (then) including present NFF President, Ibrahim Gusau, went on a media frenzy, apologizing to millions of Nigerians, while assuring them that the 2026 ticket was a sure banker.

Few weeks after Congo DR threw the Super Eagles out of the 2026 Mundial, NFF officials were back to their deceitful ways - they went on a wild goose chase, telling aggrieved Nigerian fans that they had filed a petition against the Central Africans for fielding ineligible players.

Few weeks before Congo DR engaged Jamaica in the final play-off match, Gusau and his inept colleagues came out from their 'hiding places', to tell Nigerians to forget the World Cup ticket.

Now, Gusau and co. are junketing the nooks and crannies of Nigeria, selling the 2031 World Cup Finals ticket 'in advance'.

But Nigerian fans are not amused this time around. Once beaten, they maintain, twice shy.

Nigeria's football stakeholders are also sharpening their knives.

Players, sponsors, agents, name them, who were denied the opportunity of casting the nets far and wide to exploit the advantages acruing from the World Cup Finals, have sworn to stop Gusau's second term bid.

WHO HAS ESTHER OKORONKWO OFFENDED IN NFF?

When the list for the Super Falcons players invited for the AWCON 2026 preparations was released, the exclusion of some prominent members of the 2025 title-winning squad made the headlines.

It didn't take long for Super Falcons eye-catching attacking talent, Esther Okoronkwo, to break her silence.

She has taken to her Facebook page to cry out over her exclusion from the national team, threatening to expose those she believes are responsible.

"To those corrupt officials responsible for the decisions that led to my exclusion from the Super Falcons squad, why not tell Nigerians the real truth?" Okonkwo slammed.

She continues, "For weeks, I have remained silent out of respect, professionalism, and love for the game. However, I will not allow false narratives, speculation, and misinformation to continue spreading.

"I urge those in charge to stop lying to Nigerians and tell them the real reasons I was excluded from the team. If the truth is not made known, I will have no choice but to share my own side of the story and expose everything that has happened behind closed doors."

Now, let's see how the NFF officials will react to this ill-timed controversy.

Will this one be swept under the carpet?

Only time will tell.

Source DailySports Nigeria

Posted June 10, 2026