National Teams
Fikayo Tomori explains why he didn’t play for Nigeria
England and AC Milan defender Fikayo Tomori has said he never represented Nigeria at international level because he did not receive an official invitation from the Nigeria Football Federation, despite being eligible through his parents.
Tomori, 27, was born in Canada to Nigerian parents before the family relocated to England. He began his youth career with Canada but switched to England’s academy setup at 18, eventually winning the FIFA U-20 World Cup in 2017.
The former Chelsea defender said his international future had taken shape early after England expressed interest.
“I was playing for the Canada youth team, but about four months later the England Academy manager reached out,” Tomori said to the Filthy Fellas Podcast.
“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 has made five senior appearances for the Three Lions, said he would have considered Nigeria had the opportunity been presented.
“If it was Nigeria, I’d have gone,” he said. “Would I have changed to Nigeria from England? I don’t know. At the time I was playing for Chelsea, so I thought I would play for England. Nigeria isn’t bad; all my boys are there… but they never called me. If they called me, I’d have a decision to make, but they never officially called me.”
The defender added that growing up in a Nigerian household shaped his discipline and early sporting habits, crediting his father’s emphasis on academics and exposure to players like Michael Essien and George Weah.
Tomori, who moved permanently to AC Milan in 2021 after an initial loan, last featured for England in a Euro 2024 qualifier against Malta in November 2023. He is aiming to secure a place in Thomas Tuchel’s squad as England begins preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
