Ex-Super Eagles captain Jay-Jay Okocha has recalled some of his favourite World Cup moments ahead of the 2026 edition set to kick off on Thursday, Soccernet.ng reports.
The 52-year-old represented Nigeria at three World Cup tournaments: the 1994 edition in the United States, the 1998 edition in France, and the 2002 edition co-hosted by South Korea and Japan.
While the former Paris Saint-Germain midfielder holds the record for most dribbles in a World Cup match (15 against Italy), he never scored a goal nor assisted in the tournament.
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Jay-Jay Okocha reveals favourite World Cup moments, names Maradona's goal
The 1994 AFCON winner revealed his earliest World Cup memories in an interview with BR Football, claiming he was very little when Maradona donked on England in the semi-final of the 1986 edition hosted by Mexico.
“I think I remember Germany vs France [1986 semi-final, West Germany vs France].
“I can't even remember the year, I was so young. It was the one in Mexico, featuring the likes of Lothar Matthaus, Karl-Heinze Rummenigge.”
Quizzed about the best World Cup goal he's seen, Okocha promptly answered: ‘Maradona against England'.
His favourite World Cup kit, though, was Nigeria's home colours at the 1994 World Cup.
”Definitely a Nigerian one, for the one I wore, I'll say the 1994 edition.”
Okocha's standout game in a World Cup tournament was Nigeria's stunning 3-2 comeback against Spain in 1998. Goals from Mutiu Adepoju, Lawal, and a long-range strike from Sunday Oliseh cancelled out Fernando Hierro and Raul Gonzalez's strikes for La Roja.
“Our game against Spain in 1998, France,” the ex-Bolton star concluded.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off with Mexico taking on South Africa at the Mexico City Stadium on Thursday. You can check the game schedule here.
