In a candid revelation that ends years of speculation, England and AC Milan defender Fikayo Tomori has finally explained why he never represented the Nigerian national team, the Super Eagles, despite his strong Nigerian heritage.
The Missing Call from the NFF
The 27-year-old centre-back, born in Canada to Nigerian parents, stated that the decisive factor was a simple lack of formal communication. Tomori disclosed that he was never officially approached by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) regarding a potential switch of allegiance.
This absence of an offer meant the defender never faced the choice between the country of his ancestry and the one that actively pursued him. Tomori made these comments during a recent appearance on the Filthy Fellas Podcast, putting to rest a long-standing question among Nigerian football fans.
How England Secured Tomori's International Future
The timeline of events played a crucial role in shaping Tomori's international career. After initially featuring for Canada's youth teams, England made their move shortly after his 18th birthday. The defender admitted the timing was pivotal, creating a sense of urgency he could not ignore.
"The next international break, England called me, and I knew I had to go," Tomori explained. "I thought if I said no, would I ever get a call-up again?"
The transition to the England setup felt natural, as several of his former Chelsea academy teammates, including striker Tammy Abraham, were already part of the squad. This familiar environment made the decision feel less risky. He earned his first senior cap for the Three Lions in October 2019.
A Different Story if Nigeria Had Called First
Tomori's clarification addresses why other England-born players of Nigerian descent, such as Ademola Lookman, Ola Aina, and Alex Iwobi, eventually switched to play for the Super Eagles, while he did not.
"Nigeria isn’t bad, though. All my boys are there. It’s not like I wouldn’t have played there, but they never called me, so I never had a choice to make," Tomori stated.
He left little doubt about what could have been, adding, "If it was Nigeria, I’d have gone." This statement underscores that the opportunity simply never materialised from the Nigerian side.
Tomori's Focus on Club and Country Ambitions
While his England career has been intermittent, with five senior caps and his last appearance in November 2023 against Malta, Tomori has established himself as a key figure at club level.
Now in his sixth season with Italian giants AC Milan, he has made over 180 appearances and is considered one of the team's most reliable defenders. Despite being overlooked in recent England squads under manager Thomas Tuchel, Tomori remains optimistic about forcing his way into the plans for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
His strategy is clear: maintain high performance for Milan to become an undeniable option for the national team selectors. Tomori's journey from Chelsea, which included a loan spell before a permanent five-year move to Milan, has been marked by consistent development at the highest level of European football.
