Super Eagles boost? England snub three superstars of Nigeria descent for 2022 FIFA World Cup
Three Lions manager Gareth Southgate has named a 26-man squad to fight for honours at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar
The trio of Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze, AC Milan’s Fikayo Tomori, and AS Roma’s Tammy Abraham will not participate at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
England manager Gareth Southgate did not include the three players in his 26-man squad for the Mundial set to kick off later this month.
All three players are of Nigerian descent, but two have already committed their international future to England.
They will, however, be disappointed at missing out on the global showpiece despite their brilliant performances in recent months.
Fikayo Tomori was one of the key defenders that helped AC Milan become champions in May after wrestling the Italian Serie A title from Inter Milan and Juventus.
Tammy Abraham was the joint top goalscorer as a Jose Mourinho-inspired Roma lifted the maiden edition of the Europa Conference League also in May.
Eberechi Eze has been a revelation in the English Premier League since joining Crystal Palace from Queens Park Rangers last year.
While Tomori and Abraham have made three and 11 appearances for the Three Lions, 24-year-old Eze is yet to feature for the 1966 world champions.
Eze’s omission could, however, be a blessing in disguise for Nigeria, with the NFF known admirers of the talented playmaker.
England’s manager Southgate, however, included Arsenal attacker Bukayo Saka – also of Nigerian parentage – in the squad for Qatar 2022.
My childhood dream to play in a World Cup has come true !
Qatar 2022. Let’s go @england 🦁🏴#GodsPlan🙏🏿 pic.twitter.com/Lvd5aLFqRa— Bukayo Saka (@BukayoSaka87) November 10, 2022
England squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup
Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford (Everton), Nick Pope (Newcastle), Aaron Ramsdale (Arsenal)
Defenders: Harry Maguire (Man Utd), John Stones (Man City), Kyle Walker (Man City), Luke Shaw (Man Utd), Kieran Trippier (Newcastle), Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Eric Dier (Tottenham), Conor Coady (Everton), Ben White (Arsenal)
Midfielders: Declan Rice (West Ham), Jude Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Mason Mount (Chelsea), Kalvin Phillips (Man City), James Maddison (Leicester), Conor Gallagher (Chelsea)
Attackers: Harry Kane (Tottenham), Phil Foden (Man City), Raheem Sterling (Chelsea), Marcus Rashford (Man Utd), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Jack Grealish (Man City), Callum Wilson (Newcastle).
