William Troost-Ekong Converts to Islam in Qatar: What We Know
Former Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong has converted to Islam after reciting the Shahada in Doha, Qatar, where he currently plays for Qatar Stars League club Al-Ahli.
The development was first reported by Qatari newspaper Al-Arab on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, after the Nigerian defender recited the two testimonies of faith and declared his acceptance of Islam. A video showing the moment has since circulated widely on social media.
The 33-year-old footballer was shown reciting the Shahada in Arabic during the ceremony in Doha. The Shahada is the Islamic declaration of faith and its recitation is associated with a person’s acceptance of Islam.
Al Jazeera also reported that Troost-Ekong expressed a desire to read more and learn about Islam following the declaration. The report cited Sheikh Mansour bin Nasser Al-Khalidi, who appeared to guide the former Nigeria captain through the recitation.
What led to Troost-Ekong’s conversion?
Details surrounding Troost-Ekong’s decision have attracted interest among Nigerian football fans, particularly because he has not previously been widely associated with Islam in public.
However, reports about the development do not establish a detailed personal account of what led to his decision.
Al Jazeera reported a claim from Sheikh Al-Khalidi that Muslim friends at Al-Ahli helped introduce Troost-Ekong to Islam and influenced his decision. The report also said the footballer had read about the religion before making his decision.
Those details should be distinguished from speculation circulating online. There is currently no basis to claim that Troost-Ekong converted simply because he moved to Qatar or because he plays alongside Muslim teammates.
The confirmed development is that he recited the Shahada in Doha and announced his entry into Islam.
Troost-Ekong’s career in Qatar
Troost-Ekong has been playing in the Gulf region since 2024, when he moved to Saudi Arabia after several years in European football.
He later joined Al-Ahli in Qatar in January 2026 after leaving Saudi Arabian club Al-Kholood. He has continued his professional career in the Qatar Stars League while also becoming a familiar figure among the club’s supporters.
His move to Qatar came after a career that included spells at several European clubs, including Udinese in Italy, Watford in England, Salernitana in Italy and PAOK in Greece.
At PAOK, he helped the Greek club win the 2023/24 Super League title before moving to Saudi Arabia.
Troost-Ekong’s Super Eagles legacy
Before his retirement from international football, Troost-Ekong was one of Nigeria’s most prominent defenders and served as captain of the Super Eagles.
He made his senior international debut in 2015 and went on to earn 83 caps for Nigeria, scoring eight goals, according to reports on his career.
He represented Nigeria at the 2018 FIFA World Cup and several Africa Cup of Nations tournaments.
His biggest international tournament came at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Côte d’Ivoire, where Nigeria reached the final. Troost-Ekong scored three goals during the competition and was named Player of the Tournament.
He announced his retirement from international football in December 2025, bringing an end to a decade-long Super Eagles career.
A new chapter away from football
Troost-Ekong’s conversion adds a new dimension to the life of a footballer whose career has taken him between Europe, Africa and the Middle East.
For now, the public record surrounding the development is centred on the Shahada ceremony in Doha and his reported interest in learning more about Islam.
The former Super Eagles captain remains an Al-Ahli player, with his professional career continuing in Qatar as he begins what is also a new personal chapter.