Nigeria’s absence from the World Cup had already been confirmed, with the Super Eagles eliminated by DR Congo in the African play-offs. The penalty shoot-out loss meant Nigeria would miss football’s biggest tournament for a second consecutive edition.
With their own team missing, a large section of the Nigerian public backed England as a second choice, largely because of the Three Lions’ strong links to Nigeria. Bukayo Saka, Noni Madueke and Eberechi Eze all have Nigerian roots, and manager Thomas Tuchel included each player in his squad for this summer’s competition. England, though, suffered another painful exit.
The Three Lions faced Argentina in the semi-finals, with betting markets making them slight favourites to reach their first World Cup final in six decades. Lucky Rebel Sportsbook priced Tuchel’s team at 6/4 before kick-off, while the reigning champions were available at 2/1. Those projections appeared justified when Anthony Gordon put England ahead in the 55th minute, turning in Morgan Rogers’ precise cross.
England then became increasingly cautious, despite having arguably been the stronger side during the first hour. Their defensive approach gave Lionel Messi the opportunity to bring Argentina level. The captain set up Enzo Fernandez for an 85th-minute equaliser and then supplied an outstanding cross for Lautaro Martinez to head in the winning goal seven minutes later. Saka, Eze and Madueke were unused throughout the semi-final.
The trio had been involved earlier in the competition, however. Each of England’s Nigerian-born or Nigerian-descended players featured at the World Cup, while the squad also included other footballers with African backgrounds, representing countries such as Ivory Coast, DR Congo and Sierra Leone. Here is a look at which members of England’s African contingent made the strongest impression.
Every England player in that group except one was born in the country to African parents. The exception is centre-back Marc Guehi, who was born in Ivory Coast and relocated to England when he was one year old. He developed into one of the nation’s leading defenders, progressing through England’s youth teams before becoming a first-choice player at Euro 2024.
Guehi’s status as England’s leading centre-half came under scrutiny when he was left out of the opening match against Croatia. Tuchel instead selected Aston Villa captain Ezri Konsa alongside the experienced John Stones. Guehi responded by playing every minute of the next six matches.
He was outstanding during England’s resilient Round of 16 success over Mexico in Mexico City, although his display in the eventual Argentina defeat will have left him dissatisfied. Even so, Guehi was the best-performing African representative in England’s squad this summer.
Konsa established himself as a genuinely top-level defender during Aston Villa’s remarkable 2025/26 campaign, leading the club as captain to a Premier League top-four finish and Europa League glory. He forced his way into England’s XI after John Stones endured two difficult injury-hit years and Harry Maguire’s form declined. The 28-year-old began every England match at the tournament until Stones replaced him for the semi-final.
Prior to that change, Konsa and Guehi had developed a formidable partnership in defence. Both delivered under pressure as England survived the intense atmosphere in Mexico City. Being removed from the starting team against Argentina will have been painful for Konsa, and it is fair to question whether the result might have changed had he started instead of coming on as a right-back substitute.
Tuchel faced considerable criticism for choosing Arsenal winger Noni Madueke ahead of players such as Cole Palmer and Phil Foden. The German coach valued Madueke’s aggressive running and strength more highly than the pair’s technical quality. During the group phase, that judgement appeared to be justified.
Madueke impressed in England’s 4-2 opening victory over Croatia and again in the 2-0 triumph against Panama. His level then fell sharply, and supporters were particularly harsh about his performance against DR Congo in the Round of 32. He was left out for the next three matches, but his earlier contributions were enough to earn third place in these rankings.
Saka has been among England’s leading players since his unexpected breakthrough at Euro 2021. He helped the Three Lions reach the final at that tournament and played a role in taking them back to the championship match in 2024. This year’s campaign, though, proved far less productive for the Arsenal winger.
Saka arrived at the World Cup with fitness and injury questions hanging over him after missing the closing stages of Arsenal’s 2025/26 campaign. He started only two matches, registering assists against Mexico and Panama, and also created a goal after entering from the bench against Croatia. His limited involvement leaves him fourth in the standings.
Eze, also of Arsenal, made only a few appearances as a substitute and failed to reproduce the impact he had shown at the Emirates during the previous season. He will need to raise his level if he is to remain part of Tuchel’s plans. With Palmer, Foden and Morgan Gibbs-White all pushing to regain their England places, his position is far from secure.
Trevor Chalobah was not included in the original England selection. Tuchel later summoned him to replace Tino Livramento, who was injured shortly before the tournament began. Chalobah did not take the field during England’s entire campaign.
Mainoo was another unused player, although his involvement against Argentina might have benefited England. With the ball, he is arguably the country’s finest midfielder, and his capacity to retain possession would have been valuable as the Three Lions tried to protect their one-goal advantage. He remained on the bench, and England eventually went down 2-1.
