We are working towards it - Lazio star dreams of playing for Super Eagles at World Cup

Lazio midfielder Fisayo Dele-Bashiru has expressed his ambition to represent Nigeria’s Super Eagles at the FIFA World Cup, as the team intensifies preparations for their upcoming qualifiers.

Dele-Bashiru is among the 23-man squad currently in Uyo ahead of Saturday’s clash against Rwanda at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium. The Super Eagles will then travel to Bloemfontein to face South Africa’s Bafana Bafana at the Toyota Stadium next Tuesday.

Nigeria have endured a difficult start to the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign, managing just one win from six matches so far. But the Lazio midfielder insists there is still hope.

Speaking to reporters in Uyo, the 23-year-old described playing at the global football showpiece as the pinnacle of any footballer’s career.

“The World Cup, that’s the biggest stage for a footballer in your career, especially playing for your country.

“It will be a very massive moment for not just me, I’m sure, all the players here. It will be a massive moment for all the staff and all the fans,” Dele-Bashiru said.

He added that the team is determined to revive their campaign, starting with this weekend’s fixtures.

“So, yeah, that’s what we are working towards. God willing, we will win the next two World Cup qualifying games and then after that, we’ll take it from there.”

Nigeria, which has appeared at six FIFA World Cups, last featured at the global tournament in Russia 2018. With the likes of Dele-Bashiru, Alex Iwobi, and Victor Osimhen in camp, the Super Eagles will be aiming to keep their qualification hopes alive with back-to-back wins.