Nigeria’s interest in Crystal Palace defender Honest Ahanor remains alive after the teenager was left out of Italy’s travelling squad for Friday’s UEFA Nations League meeting with France. However, the development does not mean Italy has released him from its senior setup.
The Honest Ahanor situation is attracting attention because the defender has already played for Italy’s senior team, but those appearances came in friendlies. He has not yet appeared for Italy in an official senior competition, leaving his international future open under FIFA’s rules.
Why Ahanor Did Not Face France
The FIGC confirmed on October 1 that Ahanor was among nine players who would remain at Italy’s training centre in Coverciano instead of travelling to Paris. The decision was described as part of Mancini’s plan to manage the squad ahead of the next Nations League match against Türkiye on October 5.
Ahanor has since been moved towards Italy’s Under-21 setup, where he is expected to prepare for the European Under-21 Championship qualifier against Poland. His move to the Under-21 group is therefore not, by itself, a decision about his senior international allegiance.
The Italy Appearances That Matter
Honest Ahanor’s Italy eligibility comes down to the type of matches he has played. The defender made his senior Italy debut in June 2026 in friendlies against Luxembourg and Greece.
Those appearances count as senior international appearances, but they did not come in an official competition. FIFA’s rules allow players with multiple nationalities to change association in certain circumstances, including where they have not played for their current association in an official senior competition. FIFA published updated guidance on the rules in September 2026.
That distinction keeps the door open for Honest Ahanor playing for the Super Eagles, although it does not mean the player has chosen Nigeria.
What Nigeria’s Opportunity Looks Like
Ahanor was born in Aversa, Italy, to Nigerian parents and has represented Italy at youth level. He has also spoken positively about representing Italy, saying in March that wearing the Italian shirt was a strong emotional experience.
For Nigeria, the situation therefore remains one of eligibility rather than a confirmed commitment. The NFF would still need to convince the teenager that his international future should be with the Super Eagles.
His continued availability is significant because Nigeria is not the only country interested in his international future. Ahanor has already entered Italy’s senior setup and is developing through a system that has selected him for both senior and Under-21 football.
The Clock Is Still Running
The immediate development is that Ahanor will not play for Italy against France on October 2 and is expected to join the Under-21 team for its October 5 qualifier against Poland. That means he will not add an official senior appearance during the France match.
For Nigeria, the situation creates another window to engage the player. But until Ahanor makes a decision and any required FIFA process is completed, his international future remains open.
The bigger lesson for the Nigeria dual nationality footballers debate is that eligibility and availability are not the same thing. Nigeria may still have a route to Ahanor, but securing that route would require action beyond simply waiting for Italy to leave him out.
