Fulham midfielder Alex Iwobi has confirmed his availability for Nigeria's upcoming June friendlies against Poland and Portugal, providing a timely boost for the Super Eagles amid a wave of withdrawals that has depleted the squad ahead of the high-profile fixtures.
Marquee forwards Ademola Lookman and Victor Osimhen, along with Femi Azeez, Samson Tijani, Alhassan Yusuf and Ebenezer Akinsanmiro, have all withdrawn from the squad for various reasons, leaving Nigeria short of several players ahead of the friendlies.
Iwobi was initially considered a doubt for next month's friendlies after sustaining a hamstring injury during the first half of Fulham's goalless Premier League draw against Brentford in April.
However, the Hale End Academy graduate returned to action before the end of the season, starting Fulham's final two league matches against Wolverhampton Wanderers and Newcastle United.
The midfielder is now on the verge of a significant personal milestone when Nigeria face Poland in Warsaw on Wednesday.
Should the 30-year-old feature against the Poles, he will earn his 100th cap for the Super Eagles, becoming just the fourth player in history to reach the landmark after Joseph Yobo, Vincent Enyeama and Ahmed Musa.
Reflecting on the 2025-2026 season, Iwobi said on the Alexander Yaa Digg podcast : "The 2025–26 season has wrapped up, a season of ups and downs. Of course, we wanted to secure a European spot, but it wasn't meant to be. Nonetheless, we've got to be proud of what we achieved and how far Fulham has come as a club.
Iwobi also looked back on Nigeria's third-place finish at the Africa Cup of Nations, insisting there are still improvements to be made despite a respectable tournament showing.
"Good season overall, also Afcon we did well. When you go to a tournament you want to win it but to achieve third place in a tough competition is still credit to ourselves. We always strive to achieve more to improve. Hopefully next season we can do that. I can do that again personally as well. Personally try to get more stats, more goals."
Having recovered from injury and finished the season in good condition, Iwobi is now turning his attention to international duty with the Super Eagles.
"I'm grateful to be back fit after injury. I was able to finish the season feeling good. Of course, I've got to get ready for the international break, but I have a little time off to refresh."
A former England youth international, Iwobi became cap-tied to Nigeria after featuring in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match against Egypt in March 2016.
Ifeanyi Emmanuel
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