Noah Atubolu: Nigeria set to lose talented goalie to Germany as Julian Nagelsmann makes big move

Torwart Noah Atubolu SC Freiburg gestikuliert, Gestik waehrend des spiels der Bundesliga zwischen Borussia Mönchengladbach und Club Freiburg, Stadion im Borussia-Park am 05. October 2025 in Mönchengladbach, Deutschland. Foto von Oliver Kaelke/DeFodi Images Torwart Noah Atubolu SC Freiburg gestures during the Bundesliga match between Borussia Mönchengladbach and Sport-Club Freiburg at Stadion im Borussia-Park on October 5, 2025 in Mönchengladbach, Germany. Photo by Oliver Kaelke/DeFodi Images DFL regulations prohibit any use of photographs as image sequences and/or quasi-video. Photo by Oliver Kaelke/DeFodi Images *** not used for Axel Springer / ZDF *** Goalkeeper Noah Atubolu SC Freiburg gestures, gestures during the Bundesliga match between Borussia Mönchengladbach and Sport Club Freiburg, Stadion im Borussia Park on October 05 2025 in Mönchengladbach, Germany Photo by Oliver Kaelke DeFodi Images Goalkeeper Noah Atubolu SC Freiburg gestures during the Bundesliga match between Borussia Mönchengladbach and Sport Club Freiburg at Stadion im Borussia Park on October 5, 2025 in Mönchengladbach, Germany Photo by Oliver Kaelke DeFodi Images DFL regulations prohibit any use of photographs as image sequences and or quasi video Photo by Oliver Kaelke DeFodi Images not used for Axel Springer ZDF

Noah Atubolu is eligible for Nigeria and Germany by virtue of his parents and his place of birth…

The German Football Association have announced that Freiburg goalkeeper Noah Atubolu has been invited to the national team for their upcoming FIFA World Cup Qualifiers,  Soccernet.ng reports. 

Atubolu has been a subject of interest from Nigeria, as he has proven to be a top goalkeeper at Freiburg. He has been a regular for Freiburg for the last two seasons.

The 23-year-old shot-stopper was born in Germany to Nigerian parents, but he chose to represent the former at international level.

However, due to the quality in the German senior national team, Atubolu has been playing for the under 21s.

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Football Federation have been making moves to get him to switch and play for the Super Eagles, especially due to the struggles in the goalkeeper department.

However, Atubolu has remained true to Germany, and it now seems all hopes of getting him to play for Nigeria might be dashed soon.

Soccer Noah Atubolu Called-Up By German Senior Team

On Monday evening the German FA confirmed that Noah Atubolu had been called up to the senior team.

Kader-Update ℹ️ Noah Atubolu ist für die beiden anstehenden Länderspiele nachnominiert und wird heute Abend im Homeground erwartet.

Oli Baumann kämpft heute mit Übelkeit, es ist noch offen, ob er am Dienstag mit der Mannschaft trainieren kann.#dfbteam ️ DFB pic.twitter.com/sphTQpgQ6m

— DFB-Team (@DFB_Team) October 6, 2025

In coach Julian Nagelsmann’s initial list, Atubolu was not included. But Oliver Baumann, who was on the main list, is struggling with nausea and might not be able to play. As such, Atubolu was brought in fill in.

According to FIFA rules, the Freiburg star can still play for Nigeria despite playing for Germany at youth level.

But he will no longer be eligible to play for the Super Eagles once he plays in a competitive game for the Die Mannschaft.

Losing Atubolu would be a big miss for Nigeria, as the 23-year-old shot-stopper is evidently better than all the goalkeepers in the Super Eagles fold.

Kelvin Omachonu

Kelvin Omachonu is a writer with many years of experience covering sports events in Nigeria and abroad. He is fueled by his love for the job, and is dedicated to delivering captivating stories.