England and AC Milan defender Fikayo Tomori has explained why he committed his international future to the Three Lions rather than the Super Eagles of Nigeria, Soccernet.ng reports.
The 27-year-old, a product of Chelsea’s Cobham academy, broke into the Blues’ first team during the 2019/20 season under Frank Lampard. He joined AC Milan on loan the following year before making the move permanent in 2021.
Tomori was born in Calgary, Canada, to Nigerian parents, before the family relocated to England when he was just a year old. He initially represented Canada at youth level before switching to the England U-19s at 18.
Why Tomori chose England over Nigeria
Eligible for Nigeria through his parents, Tomori could have followed the path taken by former England youth players such as Ola Aina, Alex Iwobi and Ademola Lookman, who eventually chose the Super Eagles. Instead, Tomori opted for England, though he has made only five senior appearances so far.
Speaking on the Filthy Fellas Podcast, he said he remains confident in his choice and hopes to make Thomas Tuchel’s 2026 World Cup squad.
“I was playing for the Canada youth team, but around four months later the England academy manager contacted me about switching.
At the next international break, England called me and I knew I had to go. I felt if I said no, maybe I wouldn’t get another chance.”
He recalled winning the FIFA U-20 World Cup with a squad featuring the likes of Dominic Solanke, Ademola Lookman, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Lewis Cook and Dean Henderson.
Tomori noted that choosing England felt natural at the time because many of his friends, including Tammy Abraham, were already in the setup.
He added that Nigeria never reached out to him formally:
“Everyone used to get called up then, so I felt a bit left out. That’s why I went to Canada first.
If it was Nigeria who called me at that time, I’d have gone.
Would I have switched to Nigeria from England? I don’t know. I was playing for Chelsea, so I thought I could make the England team.
Nigeria isn’t bad – all my boys are there. Ola, Mola, Alex.
It’s not like I wouldn’t have played for Nigeria, but they never called me, so I never had a choice to make.”
Growing up with Nigerian influence
Although he never represented the Super Eagles, Tomori grew up in a typical Nigerian household. His father placed academics ahead of football and didn’t push him towards the sport.
“My dad didn’t really care about football at first. There was no pressure on me.
Around 15 things changed – you know how African dads are. He started telling me to watch certain players.
I was a midfielder then, so he’d tell me to study Essien. He’s old-school, so he’d always mention George Weah.”
Tomori’s most recent game for England came in the Three Lions’ 2–0 win over Malta in November 2023.
