VIDEO: ‘I love Nigeria’, Thierry Henry clears up World Cup joke with IShowSpeed

Arsenal legend Thierry Henry has addressed social media reactions to a viral video from the 2026 FIFA World Cup opening match, clarifying his remarks and expressing "mad respect" and love for Nigeria. The controversy stemmed from a video where Henry and Zlatan Ibrahimović encountered American streamer IShowSpeed wearing a U.S. national team jersey with Nigerian national team shorts.

“

I love Nigeria, but today is US for you.

During the interaction, Ibrahimović questioned the mixed attire, and Henry commented, "I love Nigeria, but today is US for you." When IShowSpeed asked about mixing the two nations' gear, Henry explained it relates to sporting superstition. "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."

“

It is great. Nigeria is great. 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.

Online misinterpretations suggested Henry had called Nigeria "bad luck." To clear the air, Henry posted a disclaimer on his official Instagram story. He explained that his comment was a lighthearted joke directed at breaking a uniform set, a superstition he would apply regardless of the teams involved. "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," Henry stated. He reiterated his deep affection for Nigeria and its significant Arsenal fanbase, emphasizing, "Nigeria is never bad luck, I was just saying breaking the set is bad luck with any other short."

“

I need to clarify something because I don’t think people understand when you say stuff sometimes or when a joke is a joke.

The U.S. men's national team had a strong start to their World Cup campaign, defeating Paraguay 4-1 in their opening match. Folarin Balogun scored twice, and the team benefited from an early own goal by Paraguay's Damian Bobadilla, with Gio Reyna adding a late fourth goal.

“

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.