What was meant as a light moment on live broadcast quickly turned into a social media talking point, prompting clarification from football icon Thierry Henry.
The former striker, who was co-commentating alongside Zlatan Ibrahimović during FOX Sports’ coverage of the USA’s 4–1 win over Paraguay, found himself at the centre of controversy after a playful exchange involving streamer IShowSpeed.
It all started when IShowSpeed appeared on camera wearing Nigeria shorts paired with a United States national team jersey.
Henry reacted in a joking tone, saying:
“I love Nigeria, but not today. Today is USA for you.”
When Speed questioned him “What’s wrong with Nigeria?”
Henry immediately corrected the impression, replying, “Nigeria is great.”
But few moments later in the broadcast, after the United States conceded a goal, Henry joked again: “You see? You bring bad luck. That’s you bringing bad luck.”
That second comment triggered backlash online, with some viewers interpreting it as disrespectful toward Nigerians.
To clear the air, Henry later addressed the situation in a follow-up video, explaining that the comments were meant purely as humour about superstition and matching outfits, not about Nigeria itself.
He said:
“I needed to clarify something because I don’t think people understand when you say stuff sometimes or when a joke is a joke,” Henry said.
“So I just spoke yesterday about the shorts of Nigeria and the top of the US. I just said to him it is bad luck to break the set.
“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, because you go as a set.
“I even said that I love Naija. And by the way, I do. I have my respect for Nigeria and the people there. A lot of Arsenal fans, by the way out there, so don’t misunderstand that stuff, please.
“Nigeria is never bad luck. I was just saying breaking the set is bad luck with any other shorts.”
With that, Henry made it clear the intention was playful banter, not criticism of Nigeria or its fans.
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