Arsenal legend Thierry Henry has clarified comments that sparked reactions on social media following a viral video from the 2026 FIFA World Cup opening match, insisting he has “mad respect” and love for Nigeria.
Origin of the Controversy
The controversy began during the tournament opener when popular American streamer IShowSpeed met football icons Zlatan Ibrahimović and Thierry Henry. A viral clip showed the trio reacting to Speed’s outfit, which combined a United States national team jersey with Nigerian national team shorts.
Spotting the mix, Ibrahimović remarked, “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 combining the two, Henry explained that wearing mismatched national kits is often considered bad luck in sport.
“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.”
Henry’s Clarification
Following online misinterpretations suggesting he had implied Nigeria was “bad luck,” Henry took to his official Instagram story on Saturday to clarify his remarks and reaffirm his admiration for Nigeria and its large 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 said in the video. “So IShowSpeed yesterday had Nigerian shorts and a US top, and 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 joking with him, saying it would be bad luck; not that Nigeria is bad luck, but that breaking the set is bad luck. “I even said I love Naija, and I do. I have mad respect for Nigeria and the people there. There are 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.”
