I love England but I have no regret playing for Nigeria – Alex Iwobi

Super Eagles midfielder Alex Iwobi has opened up about his decision to represent Nigeria, saying he has no regrets despite his affection for England’s national team.

Born in Lagos and raised in England from the age of four, Iwobi played for England at youth levels up to the under-18s before committing his senior international career to Nigeria.

Since making his debut for the Super Eagles in October 2015, he has become a pivotal figure in the squad.

In a recent interview with High Performance, shared on social media, the Fulham star contrasted the approaches of England and Nigeria, particularly in terms of organisation and discipline.

“Playing for England and playing for Nigeria are very different. England is a bit more strict. In St George’s Park or in a hotel, no one is allowed to come in, strict food, strict regime — that is it,” he said.

He explained that Nigeria’s setup could be unpredictable, with players sometimes needing to handle their own travel and logistics.

“Nigeria now, sometimes your flight is not booked properly. You have to book your own flight. You get there, and sometimes the people at the airport are not ready to pick you up, so you have to make your own way. The hotels are OK. Sometimes the light goes out, sometimes you do not have anywhere to charge your phone. In England, no one is allowed in the hotel. In Nigeria, people can come into your room whenever they want.”

Iwobi also revealed that he was initially unsure about playing for Nigeria, only agreeing to try it after encouragement from his father and uncle. He began with the under-23 team, which gave him a chance to experience the environment firsthand.

“My uncle and my dad said, just at least try once with Nigeria. So I tried the under-23s just to see, and then I could compare what I prefer. The pitch we were training on would have half grass, half AstroTurf, and maybe a bit of sand on the side.

“The coaches were strict in the sense that if you mess up a pass, you do not just get told off — you have to do a lap around the pitch.”

Despite the early challenges, Iwobi said choosing Nigeria was the right decision.

“It took a lot of convincing at the time, but I have no regrets. I did love England, but because I grew up in a Nigerian household, Nigeria has always been a part of me,” he said.