FIFA has reportedly rejected Tottenham Hotspur defender Tosin Adarabioyo’s proposed switch of international allegiance from England to Nigeria, dealing a potential blow to the Super Eagles’ hopes of adding the Premier League centre-back to their squad.

The 29-year-old defender, who joined Tottenham from Chelsea in September, was born in London to Nigerian parents and remains of Nigerian descent.

Adarabioyo represented England at Under-16, U-17, U-18 and U-19 levels but has never been capped by the senior Three Lions.  

According to reports, FIFA has now rejected an application connected to his proposed switch to Nigeria, potentially bringing an end, at least for now, to expectations that the Tottenham defender could become available to the Super Eagles.

Adarabioyo’s international future has been the subject of speculation for several years.

In May 2025, the defender publicly denied reports that he had rejected Nigeria, saying there had been no formal conversation with the Nigeria Football Federation about representing the country.

“I’ve never turned down Nigeria and I’ve never had any conversations with them to say that I’ll be going to Nigeria,” Adarabioyo said at the time.  

He explained that earlier discussions had come while he was focused on establishing himself at club level, first at Fulham and subsequently at Chelsea.

Adarabioyo later indicated that he expected to make a decision about his international future, while reports in 2026 suggested he remained open to representing Nigeria.  

The defender completed his move from Chelsea to Tottenham on September 1, 2026, with Spurs signing him permanently after initially exploring a loan arrangement.  

His arrival at Tottenham has further raised his profile, with the centre-back now competing regularly at Premier League level under manager Roberto De Zerbi.

For Nigeria, the reported FIFA decision could prove significant as the Super Eagles continue to assess defensive options ahead of major international assignments.

The West African country already has several established central defenders, but Adarabioyo’s Premier League experience and eligibility had made him an attractive potential addition.

For now, however, the reported FIFA rejection leaves his international future uncertain, with any further development likely to depend on the details of the decision and whether another application or appeal is possible under FIFA’s eligibility regulations.