Former Nigeria defender, Ben Iroha, says that although he is watching the ongoing FIFA World Cup 2026 finals taking place in Mexico, the USA and Canada, he is missing the unique flavour the Super Eagles would have brought to the tournament, Completesports.com reports.
Iroha spoke to Completesports.com from his Dallas, Texas, base on Sunday night, reflecting deeply on his participation in the 1994 FIFA World Cup in the United States.
Super Eagles’ World Cup Presence Still Missed In Dallas
“I didn’t know it was already 32 years since I played in the World Cup finals here in the United States of America,” Iroha, a left-back during his playing days, began.
“That was in 1994, the year the Nigeria Super Eagles first participated in the FIFA World Cup finals.
“I recall the atmosphere when the Mexicans and Black Americans flooded the stadium, waving the Nigerian green-white-green flag, rooting for us and making the atmosphere electrifying, as if we were playing in Lagos.
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“I loved the atmosphere and the country so much that, after the World Cup, I told my wife, ‘Look, this is the place for us to live in.’ I don’t even realise that 32 years have gone by since then, thanks to this 2026 World Cup, which has reminded me.”
Iroha went on to say that although he has enjoyed the games so far while watching from his television screen in the company of his children, there appears to be a lack of Nigerian flavour at the tournament.
“I’ve not really gone out to the stadium yet, but I’ve been watching the games on television with my children. There is, no doubt, a lack of that ‘flavour’ the Super Eagles always bring to the World Cup.
“Those of us Nigerians here in Dallas had planned an elaborate welcome and support base for the Super Eagles during the World Cup but, unfortunately, Nigeria didn’t qualify.
Memories Of USA ’94 World Cup
“You know, I’ve not seen any of my Super Eagles teammates from the 1994 World Cup who are living here in the USA. If there are any, I’m yet to know. I had thought Austin Jay-Jay Okocha would be here during this World Cup, but I’m yet to see or hear from him.
“I hope to start going to the stadium to watch the games live from the quarter-finals through to the semi-finals of the competition.”
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Asked for his thoughts on the 1994 tournament and the current edition of the FIFA World Cup finals, Iroha responded that the World Cup remains the biggest stage in global football but added that there were more star players then than now.
Comparing The Stars Of 1994 And 2026
“Every World Cup brings different feelings and performers. During the 1994 edition, we had many big-name players like Diego Maradona, Hristo Stoichkov and Roberto Baggio, among others.
“Now, we have, perhaps, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. But I don’t think this has any effect on the quality of play we have seen so far in the games played and, perhaps, those still to be played.”
Iroha disclosed that he would not stand in the way of any of his children, whether boy or girl, pursuing football or any other sport.
“My son, Benedict Junior, was into basketball. He even played in Denmark before opting out. I can’t stop any of them, boy or girl, from taking up football or any other sport.”
Super Eagles Could Have Qualified Under Chelle, Says Iroha
The 56-year-old Iroha said it was painful that the Super Eagles failed to qualify for the 2026 Mundial, emphasising that perhaps Nigeria would have secured qualification if coach Eric Sekou Chelle had been appointed earlier.
“It’s painful, very difficult to take, but that’s football for you. I think we didn’t show enough seriousness from the start of the qualifiers. Looking at the performance of the team under Coach Chelle, maybe the team would have been at the World Cup if he had been engaged earlier,” Iroha submitted.
