Jacob Murphy offered surprise chance to make 2026 World Cup - Report

Jacob Murphy has been offered the surprise opportunity to feature in the 2026 World Cup after an impressive season for Newcastle United.

The 29-year-old has accrued five goals and nine assists in his best season in black-and-white and became a key component of Eddie Howe’s Champions League qualification pushing Magpies.

Murphy has never received a senior England call-up, though it is yet to be seen who Thomas Tuchel will select for his first Three Lions squad - and the German’s decision may not even matter for the winger’s World Cup hopes.

Murphy contacted by Nigeria

Reports coming out of Nigeria claim that ‘Super Eagles’ head coach Eric Chelle has contacted Murphy to switch national allegiance, with the winger qualifying through his father.

Murphy, who is also eligible to play for the Republic of Ireland through his mother, is viewed as the latest player to have been brought up in England to opt for the West African nation - following Alex Iwobi, Ola Aina, Calvin Bassey, Sami Ajayi and Joe Aribo.

Nigeria find themselves in a precarious position in World Cup qualifying, having registered three draws and a defeat in their opening four games, and see Murphy as a potential difference maker with six games remaining.

£12m man enjoying best season yet

Murphy is the latest player to have undergone a massive transformation under Eddie Howe, following in the footsteps of Joelinton, with 2024/25 being his best season in a black-and-white shirt.

His club high eight Premier League assists this season take his total tally for us in the league to 23, seventh in the all-time Premier League rankings for Newcastle, while he has also netted several key goals in our quest for Champions League football.

Inconsistency has been the issue for Murphy during his time with the Toon, but he has earned his plaudits in recent months and may well be tempted to represent Nigeria with an England call-up appearing a long shot.