Arsenal football legend Thierry Henry has cleared the air following social media reactions to a viral video from the 2026 FIFA World Cup opening match, insisting he has nothing but “mad respect” and love for Nigeria.
The controversy began during the tournament opener, where popular American streamer IShowSpeed met football icons Zlatan Ibrahimović and Thierry Henry.
A viral video captured them questioning Speed’s decision to pair a United States national team jersey with Nigerian national team shorts.
Spotting the mixed outfit in the stands, Ibrahimović said, “You have an American shirt, you have Nigerian shorts.”
Henry added, “I love Nigeria, but today is US for you.”
When IShowSpeed asked what was wrong with mixing Nigeria and America, Henry explained that breaking up a uniform set brings sporting superstition into play.
“It is great. Nigeria is great,” Henry responded. “But that’s you bringing bad luck. You have to wear a full combo. There’s nothing wrong, I love Nigeria, but you have to wear US shorts and US shirt.”
Following online misinterpretations that he suggested Nigeria itself was “bad luck,” Henry took to his official Instagram story on Saturday to issue a clear disclaimer and reiterate his deep fondness for the West African nation and its massive Arsenal fanbase.
“I need to clarify something because I don’t think people understand when you say stuff sometimes or when a joke is a joke,” Henry explained in the video.
“So IShowSpeed yesterday had a shorts of Nigeria and the top of the US, and so I just said to him it is bad luck to break the set. It could have been the shorts of France, Italy or Spain, I would have said the same thing.
“I was just having a little joke with him, saying that it will be bad luck; not Nigeria is bad luck, but to break the set is bad luck.
“And I even said I love, I love Naija, and by the way, I do. I have mad respect for Nigeria and the people there, a lot of Arsenal fans out there. Nigeria is never bad luck, I was just saying breaking the set is bad luck with any other short.”
PUNCH Online reported on Saturday that the United States launched their home World Cup campaign in emphatic fashion on Friday night, thrashing Paraguay 4-1 at the SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.
Folarin Balogun scored twice while relentless US pressure led to an early Paraguay own goal from Damian Bobadilla before substitute Gio Reyna added a late fourth to cap a dream start for Mauricio Pochettino’s side at the SoFi Stadium in Group D.
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