Nigeria midfielder Alex Iwobi is set to earn his 100th cap in Wednesday’s international friendly against Portugal in Lieira, and said he has no regrets about committing his senior international career to the Super Eagles. Barring any unexpected developments, Iwobi will become one of four Nigerians to reach a century of appearances, joining Jospeh Yobo, Vincent Enyeama and Ahmed Musa.
In remarks shared by the Nigeria Football Federation, the Fulham midfielder — who represented England at cadet level — said he is proud to wear the national colours and stands by his decision to play for Nigeria despite missing out on the 2026 FIFA World Cup and never winning the Africa Cup of Nations.
Iwobi said the choice followed time spent at both England and Nigeria youth camps and discussions with family, including his uncle Austin “Jay Jay” Okocha. He said Okocha advised him to experience Nigeria at youth level first, and that after a stint with the under-23s he felt at home and ultimately made the decision himself, with support from his parents.
Iwobi made his senior debut in a friendly against DR Congo in Visé, Belgium, in October 2015. He has featured at four Africa Cup of Nations tournaments, earning silver in 2023 and bronze in 2019 and 2025, and played at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. He described his most memorable moment in green-and-white as the goal that qualified Nigeria for the 2018 World Cup with a strike against Zambia at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo in October 2017, noting the significance of celebrating with his parents in the stands.
The forward would have reached 100 caps in the June 3 friendly against Poland but was suspended after receiving a red card in a March friendly draw with Jordan in Antalya. The dismissal, for retaliation after a foul by Jordanian defender Amer Jamous, was only his second for Nigeria. Iwobi later apologized for the incident on his Alexander Yaa Digg podcast.
If he reaches the milestone against Portugal, Iwobi will join a rare group of centurions for Nigeria. Former Everton defender Yobo became the country’s first player to reach 100 caps when he did so while captaining the Super Eagles against France in the round of 16 at the 2014 FIFA World Cup, finishing his international career with 100 appearances across a 13-year span.
