Future Eagles Crash Out of U-15 World Cup After 6-3 Defeat to Benin
Despite scoring three goals, Nigeria could not overcome the U-15 Guépards, who secured victory to advance to the Group C quarter-finals.
Nigeria’s Future Eagles have been eliminated from the Tier C competition at the 2026 FIFA U-15 World Cup and Festival after suffering a 6-3 defeat to Benin in the Round of 16 in Baku, Azerbaijan.
Despite scoring three goals, Nigeria could not overcome the U-15 Guépards, who secured victory to advance to the Group C quarter-finals.
Future Eagles captain Timothy Ijach scored twice, finding the net in the 26th and 37th minutes, while Wisdom Boniface added Nigeria’s other goal in the 28th minute.
The defeat came after Nigeria recorded an emphatic 7-0 victory over New Caledonia in the Round of 32.
In that encounter, Wisdom Oche opened the scoring in the first minute, while Ijach netted a hat-trick. Abdulsalam Muhammad scored twice, and Mayowa Salu completed the rout.
Before entering the Tier C competition, Nigeria finished third in Group AD with seven points from five matches, recording one win and four draws. They scored 11 goals and conceded 10.
Their opening-stage results included draws against South Sudan, Jordan, The Gambia and Pakistan, while their only victory came against Cyprus in a 2-1 win.
However, the defeat to Benin ended Nigeria’s campaign in the Tier C competition, despite their impressive attacking display against New Caledonia.
The 2026 FIFA U-15 World Cup and Festival features an eight-a-side format, with matches played over two 20-minute halves.
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