AC Milan defender Fikayo Tomori has opened up on why he never represented Nigeria at the international level, despite being eligible for the Super Eagles through his parents.
Tomori, who was born in Calgary, Canada, to Nigerian parents and raised in England, had the option of representing all three countries. But the 27-year-old eventually committed to England, where he has earned senior caps and featured in multiple international windows.
Speaking on the Filthy Fellas Podcast, the former Chelsea defender explained that Nigeria never approached him—a major factor in his decision.
“I was playing for the Canada youth team, but about four months later, the England Academy manager reached out about the possibility of switching over,” Tomori said.
“The next international break, England called me, and I knew I had to go. I thought if I said no, would I ever get a call-up again?”
Tomori, who was part of the England squad that won the 2017 FIFA U-20 World Cup, said choosing England felt natural because many of his close friends and former Chelsea teammates were also in the squad.
“It didn’t feel different [from Canada] because all my friends were in there—Tammy Abraham, Solanke, Lookman, Calvert-Lewin, Lewis Cook, and Dean Henderson. So it felt like Chelsea again,” he said.
The defender added that England’s strong interest contrasted with his silence from Nigeria.
“Everyone used to get called up at the time, so I just felt somehow whenever I was left out. It’s why I went to Canada first. If it was Nigeria, I’d have gone.”
Tomori’s revelation comes amid recent discussions about missed opportunities for Nigeria in securing dual-nationality talents—a topic reignited by William Troost-Ekong’s retirement from international football.
