It’s no longer news that Nigeria failed to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup but the country could still be set to have some representation in Qatar.
With the group stage draws done and the 29 qualified teams so far already aware of their fate, there are some teams who will most likely turn up in Qatar with players of Nigerian descent.
So in order to avoid just naming everyone with Nigerian names, this will be narrowed down to players who have actually played recently for these qualified teams and have realistic shot at making the World Cup squad on current form bar any injuries or unforeseen circumstances.
Arnaut Danjuma
Lagos-born Arnaut Danjuma made his Netherlands debut in 2018 and after a long hiatus, he was recalled to the squad last year and played three of the World Cup qualifying games.
The 25-year old winger has been in stellar form this season with 13 goals and four assists in 27 games across all competitions for Villareal as well as two goals in six games for the Oranje.
If he does get selected to the squad by Louis Van Gaal (or whoever else is in charge by December), it will be Danjuma’s first international tournament.
Bukayo Saka
20-year old Bukayo Saka has been arguably Arsenal’s best player this season with ten goals and five assists across all competitions.
He has been a regular for the English national team since debuting in 2020 and has scored and assisted four goals each in 14 games for the Three Lions.