Arsenal legend Thierry Henry has moved to clear the air following social media reactions to a viral video from the opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, insisting that he has nothing but love and respect for Nigeria.
The controversy began when popular American streamer IShowSpeed met football icons Zlatan Ibrahimović and Henry during the tournament opener.
A video that quickly circulated online showed the pair questioning Speed’s decision to wear a United States national team jersey with Nigerian national team shorts.
Spotting the mixed outfit, Ibrahimović remarked: “You have an American shirt, you have Nigerian shorts.”
Henry then told the streamer: “I love Nigeria, but today it is US for you.”
When IShowSpeed asked what was wrong with combining Nigeria and America in one outfit, Henry explained that, from a sporting superstition perspective, mixing parts of different kits could be considered bad luck.
“It is great. Nigeria is great,” Henry said. “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.”
However, some social media users interpreted Henry’s comments as suggesting that Nigeria itself was “bad luck,” prompting criticism online.
In response, the former France international took to his official Instagram Story on Saturday to clarify his remarks and reaffirm his admiration for Nigeria and its people.
“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 said in a video seen by THE WHISTLER.
“So IShowSpeed yesterday had the 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.”
He continued, “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.”
Reiterating his affection for Nigeria, Henry added:
“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 shorts,” Henry added.
(The Whistler)