Olympique Marseille midfielder Tochukwu Nnadi has revealed that his original dream was to earn a place in Nigeria’s squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup rather than make his international debut at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
The highly-rated midfielder was one of the surprise names included in Nigeria’s squad for the continental tournament in Morocco. While many supporters expected more experienced players to be selected, the coaching crew placed their trust in the youngster, handing him an opportunity to announce himself on the international stage.
Nnadi eventually made his senior debut for the Super Eagles during a group-stage encounter against Uganda, marking a significant milestone in a career that has been on a steady upward trajectory since his move to Europe.
Speaking on AySuga Channel, the Marseille star admitted that AFCON was not initially part of his immediate plans, as he had long set his sights on representing Nigeria at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
“I had dreams of playing in the World Cup, not the Afcon. It was a surprise for me. I was happy.”
The 21-year-old also recounted the emotional moment he learned of his first-ever Super Eagles invitation.
“I was on a call with my dad when the invitation came, but 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.”
Although Nigeria ultimately missed out on qualification for the 2026 World Cup after losing to DR Congo in the African playoff final, Nnadi’s emergence has been one of the positives for the national team as preparations begin for the next cycle.
The midfielder has quickly become a trusted figure within the squad. During the summer international window, he was the only player to start all of Nigeria’s matches against Zimbabwe, Jamaica, Poland and Portugal, underlining the growing confidence the coaching staff have in his abilities.
His composure on the ball, tactical intelligence and ability to dictate the tempo of games have earned praise from fans and analysts alike. Those qualities have also helped him establish himself as one of the most exciting young midfielders in Nigerian football.
With five senior caps already to his name and regular football at Marseille, Nnadi appears poised to play a central role in the Super Eagles’ future. While the disappointment of missing the 2026 World Cup remains fresh, the midfielder’s rapid rise suggests he could become a key figure as Nigeria targets success in upcoming international competitions.
For Nnadi, the AFCON call-up may have arrived earlier than expected, but it has only strengthened his desire to achieve bigger goals in the green and white jersey.
