The NFL's schedule was released this week with a record nine games being held overseas, with players forced to travel as far as they ever have - including for one game in Australia
06:00 ET, 17 May 2026
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Efe Obada has spoken on how NFL players really feel about travelling across the world to play in international games(Image: Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
English NFL star Efe Obada has confirmed that the majority of players he has been around have loved being involved in international games - despite backlash from some on having to play outside of the United States.
The NFL is continuing to look to grow outside of North America, with games being played in four different continents for the first time this season. The opening week will see the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers travel all the way to Australia to kick-off their season.
The Baltimore Ravens and Dallas Cowboys will then make the trip to Brazil in Week 3, before three games will be played in London. Europe has six games with Paris, Madrid, and Munich to host fixtures before Mexico City will be the final game away from the United States in Week 11.
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After the announcement was made, future Hall of Famer JJ Watt tweeted: "International game slate is nearing the realm of traveling circus as opposed occasional showcase."
New England Patriots offensive tackle Will Campbell echoed that sentiment, saying he would prefer to only play games in the United States.
However, Obada, who played for in the league for nine years had stated that almost every player he'd been on teams with had loved the experience.
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Efe Obada spent nine years in the NFL
Speaking exclusively to Mirror US Sports, Obada said: "Honestly, the international games are a gift. You're going to a different country with your teammates and there's so much things that the city puts on just for you.
"You know, there's, there's there's interviews, there's grassroots, there's this cross sports content and interactions that the guys aren't usually used to. And for a lot of the guys from especially my teammates, it was the first time that some of them actually left America. So everybody was stranded and trying to get passports, you know.
"And then if you're, if you're flying with your family as well, it just gives you this ability to create some really cool memories. You're you're in a hotel, in a separate place, with your teammate, so kind of creates that whole training camp feel as well, but is, there's just so much going on to it, and it's just, it's a gift."
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Obada played in London against the Buccaneers in 2019
Obada explained how the international game breaks up the season well, with teams regularly being on a bye weekend afterwards - having time to reset for the rest of the season while bonding closer with their teammates in a different environment.
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He added: "You know, when everything gets a bit routine in the season and you want a little break. It's just nice to be able to leave the country and experience something new, whether it's food culture, and to say that even though it's in season mode and it's work time in this business, yeah, I got the ability to still experience something else, and, oh, I got my family, got the experience to see me play.
"It's like I said, it's a gift. I know there's logistics and all of that stuff and that goes into it, but that's part of the game."
Obada played in London, the city in which he grew up after being born in Nigeria, before moving to the United States. He played for the Carolina Panthers, Buffalo Bills and Washington Commanders.