Fikayo Tomori’s International Allegiance: Why England Over Nigeria?

Fikayo Tomori, currently a key defender for AC Milan and the England national team, has opened up about his decision to represent England instead of Nigeria, the country of his heritage. Despite being eligible to play for the Super Eagles through his Nigerian parents, Tomori’s journey took a different path, as reported by Soccernet.ng.

Early Life and Football Development

Born in Calgary, Canada, to Nigerian parents, Tomori relocated to England at just one year old. His footballing foundation was laid at Chelsea’s renowned Cobham Academy, where he developed into a promising talent. He broke into Chelsea’s first team during the 2019/2020 season under then-manager Frank Lampard. After a loan spell at AC Milan in 2020, Tomori secured a permanent transfer to the Italian giants in 2021, where he has since flourished.

International Career: From Canada to England

Tomori’s international journey began with Canada’s youth teams, reflecting his birthplace. However, at 18, he was approached by England’s youth setup, which prompted a switch. Unlike some of his contemporaries of Nigerian descent-such as Ola Aina, Alex Iwobi, and Ademola Lookman-who chose to represent Nigeria, Tomori committed to England. To date, he has earned five caps for the Three Lions and is optimistic about securing a place in England’s squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup under manager Thomas Tuchel.

“I was initially playing for Canada’s youth teams, but within a few months, the England Academy manager contacted me about switching allegiances,” Tomori shared on the Filthy Fellas Podcast.

“When England called during the next international break, I knew I had to accept. I wondered if I declined, would I ever get another chance? We won the U-20 FIFA World Cup with a strong squad including Solanke, Lookman, Calvert-Lewin, Lewis Cook, and Dean Henderson. It felt familiar, like Chelsea, with friends like Tammy Abraham around.”

“I initially played for Canada because I wasn’t getting called up by England. If Nigeria had reached out, I would have considered it. But they never did, so I never had to make that choice.”

“Would I have switched to Nigeria later? I’m not sure. At the time, I was playing regularly for Chelsea and believed I could break into the England senior team. Nigeria has great players like Ola Aina, Mola Lookman, and Alex Iwobi, so it wasn’t a bad option. But since they never officially contacted me, I never had to decide.”

The Nigerian Roots Shaping Tomori’s Mindset

Although Tomori never donned the Nigerian jersey, his upbringing was deeply influenced by Nigerian culture. Raised in a traditional African household, his father emphasized education before football, instilling discipline and focus.

“Unlike many parents today who push their kids into football early, my dad was indifferent at first. He wanted me to concentrate on school. Around age 15, he started encouraging me to watch certain players and listen to coaches. Being a midfielder then, he often mentioned Michael Essien and George Weah, reflecting his old-school football values,” Tomori explained.

Tomori’s most recent appearance for England was in their 2-0 victory over Malta in November 2023, a testament to his ongoing role in the national team setup.

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