The inaugural 32-team FIFA Club World Cup is set to kick off today across the United States, featuring some of the world’s top football clubs and players. Nigeria is well-represented in the tournament, with five full internationals and three heritage players scattered across four participating teams. This development highlights the country’s growing influence in global football and provides an opportunity for Nigerian players to showcase their skills on the world’s biggest stage.
One of Nigeria’s most recognizable names at the tournament is Zaidu Sanusi, the experienced Super Eagles left-back who has been included in Porto’s squad. Despite struggling with injuries and losing his starting berth at Porto, Sanusi’s continental experience will be valuable for his team as they face tough opponents like Palmeiras, Inter Miami, and Al Ahly. Porto’s opening clash against Palmeiras on June 15 will be a crucial test for the team, and Sanusi’s defensive skills will be put to the test.
Al Ain, the UAE’s most decorated side, has also included three Nigerian players in their squad: forward Rilwanu Sarki, goalkeeper Hassan Muhammed, and midfielder Joshua Udoh. While Muhammed and Udoh are untested youth prospects, Sarki has shown promise with two appearances and a goal in the Pro League and League Cup. Al Ain’s inclusion of these players demonstrates their commitment to developing young talent and highlights Nigeria’s growing presence in Gulf football.
Esperance de Tunis, a Tunisian club, has one of Nigeria’s most industrious midfielders at the youth level, Onuche Ogbelu. The 21-year-old has featured in 28 games for Esperance de Tunis in the 2024/25 season and has played eight matches in the CAF Champions League. Ogbelu’s defensive metrics are impressive, with 1.9 tackles and 3.6 recoveries per game, and a respectable 78% pass accuracy. His role as a midfield enforcer will be critical for Esperance de Tunis as they face technically gifted opposition.
Chelsea, one of the participating teams, has three players of Nigerian descent who are eligible for the Super Eagles. Centre-back Tosin Adarabioyo, recently signed from Fulham, is perhaps the most seasoned of the trio. Adarabioyo has played for England’s youth teams but remains uncapped at senior level. He has consistently performed well in the Premier League and Conference League, with impressive defensive metrics and passing accuracy. Winger Tyrique George, a 19-year-old of Nigerian and Ghanaian descent, has featured prominently in Chelsea’s Conference League run and has shown promise with one goal and two assists. Carney Chukwuemeka, an Austrian-born midfielder of Igbo parentage, has played for England at four youth levels but remains eligible for Nigeria. He has made 10 appearances in the Bundesliga for Borussia Dortmund and has shown flexibility in operating both centrally and from wide positions.
The Club World Cup is a reflection of global football’s deepening talent pool, with players from 63 countries participating. Brazil leads the player representation with 141 players, followed by Argentina (103), Spain (54), and Portugal (49). African nations like Morocco (31), South Africa (31), Tunisia (25), and Egypt (23) are also well-represented. Nigeria’s tally of five registered players and three diaspora options places it among countries with fewer than 10 players in the tournament.
The participation of Nigerian players in the Club World Cup is a testament to the country’s growing influence in global football. As the tournament unfolds, fans will be eager to see how these players perform and whether they can help their teams achieve success on the world’s biggest stage.
