Arthur Okonkwo says his Nigeria World Cup dream remains his ultimate goal as he builds on a strong debut and eyes AFCON success

Super Eagles goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo, a 24-year-old Wrexham shot-stopper, on 3 July 2026 expressed his ambition to win the FIFA World Cup with Nigeria, describing it as his ultimate career dream while also setting his immediate focus on lifting the Africa Cup of Nations.

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Okonkwo, who recently made his senior debut for Nigeria under head coach Eric Chelle, has enjoyed a promising start to his international career. The former Arsenal academy goalkeeper kept two clean sheets during Nigeria’s Unity Cup triumph in London, where the team secured a record fourth title with victories over Zimbabwe and Jamaica.

He also featured in high-profile international friendlies against Poland and Portugal, with Nigeria drawing 2-2 in the former and narrowly losing 2-1 in the latter, gaining valuable experience against elite opposition early in his national team journey.

“It’s my first time in the Nigeria team, and I’m just taking it all in,” Okonkwo said. “It was really good to watch how we operate against difficult opponents this month. I’m just enjoying the experience day by day. I’m just so thankful for the opportunity.”

Despite strong domestic form for Wrexham, where he recorded nine clean sheets in 35 Championship appearances, Okonkwo has taken a patient approach to international football, choosing to learn from established goalkeepers Francis Uzoho and Maduka Okoye rather than immediately push for the number one role.

His reflections come at a time when Nigeria continues to rebuild after missing both the 2022 and 2026 World Cup tournaments, placing added emphasis on upcoming competitions such as the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.

“My biggest dream would be helping this country win AFCON,” Okonkwo said. “It’s been too long. And, of course, to qualify for the World Cup and go as far as possible. I think we have the best country, and we can dream of winning the World Cup.”

The goalkeeper’s comments highlight growing optimism within the national setup, as Nigeria aim to end a 14-year wait for continental glory since their 2013 AFCON triumph, followed by runner-up and third-place finishes in 2023 and 2025 respectively.

Away from international duty, Okonkwo remains focused on club football with Wrexham, co-owned by Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, as the team continues its push for Premier League promotion following a narrow miss of the Championship playoffs.

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While speculation continues over his long-term future with one year remaining on his contract, Okonkwo maintains that his immediate focus remains firmly on performance and development at both club and international level.