‘The Super Eagles’ who will do battle in the 2026 World Cup

The Super Eagles may have “signed” a three-way deal in North America, but they will only be there in spirit. The world gathers again to celebrate world football in the USA, Canada and Mexico without the Nigerian flavors as the three-time African champions were stopped by the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

But the spiritual men will be there to fly the Nigerian flags, but with mixed blood.

The Nigerian blood that flows in the “team” is not green after all, but rather flows in different colors that represent different roots. Since then, Wilfred Ndidi, Victor Osihmen, Alex Iwobi, Simon Moses and others have added to the spirit of the team flying the flags for Nigeria at the World Cup.

The jamboree begins tomorrow with Ime Akpan swapping the Nigerian flag for South Africa’s rainbow flag for the opening match entertaining co-hosts Mexico at the Atzeca Stadium, Mexico City.

Akpan’s “compatriots” will leave for their respective adopted countries as hostilities intensify. A total of 15 Nigerians, the largest number of players in the diaspora, will wear different colors of their adopted countries at the World Cup and England will keep three of them in the Three Lions’ den.

Canada also has three Nigerians on its team. In goal, Owen Goodman is co-host Canada’s glove man and will be eyeing his debut for Canada at the World Cup. Third option to Orlando City goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau and Inter Miami CF goalkeeper Dayne St.Clair, Goodman could show why he left Nigeria for Canada in the coming days, should he get the nod from coach Jesse Marsch.

Born to a Nigerian mother and English father, the 22-year-old on-loan Barnsley goalkeeper turned down the offer to join the Nigerian under-23 team a few years ago.

On defense, superstar David Alaba once again has bragging rights and presidential approval with the Captain’s band to lead Austria to the battlefields. Born to a Nigerian father and a Filipino mother, David, six-time Austrian Player of the Year in a row, will play in his third World Cup. Supremely talented and once one of the most sought-after defenders in the world, he marshals, sweeps, clears and tackles his hallowed confines of defense with ease and won’t stop in the coming days.

When Austria faces Jordan on June 16 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, the powerful Real Madrid defender will make his 114th appearance. With the full responsibility of the captaincy on his shoulders, the 33-year-old is expected to turn up to score 15 goals for Austria.

Joining his “countryman” in the “Super Eagles” defense is Manuel Akanji, the Swiss superstar who plays anywhere in defense.

Akanji, like Alaba, will be making his third World Cup appearance and will bring a wealth of experience, making him the number one choice in defense for coach Murat Yakin’s team. The imposing Inter Milan defender is a tough defender and will not entertain his opponents with soft music at the World Cup. His 81st international feat will have some more additions in the World Cup.

World Cup debutant Ime Okon caught the World Cup radar with the Bafana Bafana boat and didn’t bother taking further questions from Eric Chelle. Born in Florida, Gauteng province, to a South African father and Nigerian mother, Akpan features prominently in coach Hugo Broos’ plans and could take on greater responsibilities at the World Cup.

The Hannover 96 Germany central defender could effectively drift to the right or left back and still smell like roses coming out of roles. He will add to his five international caps so far with a surprise start against co-hosts Mexico on Wednesday.

In midfield, Jamal Musiala is the conductor of the orchestra that includes Ebere Eze, Noni Madueke and Michael Olise. Bayern Munich’s superstar midfielder seemed to maintain his best level until the end: at the World Cups in the United States, Canada and Mexico, returning from injury to shine for Germany.

Nicknamed Bambi, the 23-year-old star, born to a Nigerian-British father and a German mother, will once again trade his magnificent vision and goals for Julian Nagelsmann’s team. So far he has scored nine goals in 42 games for the Mannschaft.

Ebere Eze was very close to wearing the colors of the Eagles, but he got lost in space and chose to take advantage of the Three Lions. The hugely exciting midfielder was not going to miss former England manager Gareth Southgate’s bus as the Eagles pushed frantically and it was no surprise when Southgate finally got it.

Current manager Thomas Tuchel has refused to take his eyes off the Arsenal star as he continues to play regularly against the former Crystal Palace star. With his current form of leading Arsenal to English Premier League victory and losing Champions League finalists, Eze is expected to pick up where he left off.

Tuchel will rely on the Eze-Declan Rice partnership to boost England’s dream of a return to football. He has played 16 times and scored three goals so far for the 1966 World Cup champions.

“Reuniting” with his team Palace Killer, Michael Olise will be fun for the “Super Eagles” team in the US, Canada and Mexico. While Eze opted to hunt with the Lions, Olise chose the Garlic Rooster as her Bastille Day fortress and the Bayern Munich superstar isn’t stopping just yet.

His World Cup debut is his special song and yet he doesn’t talk much about it. Spectacularly strange in his carefree manner, the world can be assured of his exquisite performance in the colors of Le Blues. With seven goals in 17 appearances for France, Olise sends a clear message of what to expect from him at the World Cup.

Noni Madueke, born of Nigerian descent in Barnet, London, is flying high for club and country and manager Tuchel welcomes him with the English rose. Fresh from the English Premier League victory against Arsenal, Madueke joins England’s parade of quality in midfield.

Pursued by Nigeria but preferred by his country of birth, Madueke will seemingly fly off the England bench as Tuchel strikes a deal with the English FA to challenge for the crown again for years since 1966. He is good enough for 10 caps for England before the World Cup.

Bukayo Saka is the undisputed soul in the attack of the “Super Eagles” in the United States, Canada and Mexico, since Tuchel is counting on him to boost the Three Lions. Quintessentially brilliant with the ball on his left foot, England’s opponents are sure to face a tough trip from Saka.

Unconvinced he would fly well with the Eagles, the Lions lair was irresistible to the Arsenal superstar. England would have none of their usual scoring style, with his brilliant left foot missing from the English firmament, the Eagles were forced to give up their push for Ealing’s local star, Greater London. His tally of 14 goals in 48 appearances is as attractive as the goal machine himself.

Tuchel will surely count on him for the Three Lions’ goals.

Folarin Balogun will join his “countryman” Saka in the “Super Eagles” three-pronged attack at the World Cup.

The New York-born Monaco star of Nigerian descent preferred to play for the United States, despite having grown up in England and trained at Arsenal’s academy. Transferred for €40 million from Arsenal, Balogun has proven to be a well-prepared goal poacher for Monaco.

Coach Mauricio Pochetino will rely on his goals to improve the United States’ record in the second round of the World Cup. He has scored nine goals in 29 games for the United States.

Imposing prospect David was almost in the wings of the Eagles, but decided to score for Canada. The U-23 team had him on their team and he even played two games with the team. Going back and scoring goals for his clubs, leaving behind his quiet time in the Nigerian under-23 team and attracting the country of his birth was a decisive factor for him.

By the time he invaded Belgium with the goal of teaming up with Cinderella team Union Saint-Gilloise, Promise’s stock had risen enormously. By winning the Belgian treble in their first season, the Eagles returned with wings to fly, but Promise kept his promise with Canada. Recovered in time from a terrible hip injury he suffered in February 2026 in the arms of coach Jesse Marsch,

Promise will not only keep the promise of scoring, but he will also score for the co-hosts. His tally of three goals in 10 appearances for Canada isn’t bad for the promising forward.

Substitutes for this Super Eagles World Cup XI would include Luke Okafor, Tani Oluwaseyi, Carney Chukwuemeka, Felix Nmecha and Antonio Nusa.