Nigeria’s Future Eagles are scheduled to depart Abuja on Wednesday night for the 2026 FIFA U-15 World Cup and Festival in Baku, Azerbaijan.
The Nigerian contingent is expected to leave through the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport aboard a 9:30 p.m. flight, with a stopover in Türkiye before continuing to Azerbaijan.
Head coach Patrick Bassey will lead the team as Nigeria prepares for the inaugural edition of the youth football competition, which is designed to provide young players with international exposure and development opportunities.
The Future Eagles have been drawn in Group AD alongside South Sudan, Jordan, The Gambia, Cyprus and Pakistan. The group-stage fixtures will test the young Nigerians against opponents from different footballing backgrounds.
The tournament will feature an eight-a-side format, with matches played over two 20-minute halves. FIFA designed the format to give players more opportunities to participate, develop their technical skills and gain competitive experience.
The event will bring together youth teams from across the world in Baku, offering participants opportunities to experience different football cultures and build connections beyond the pitch.
Nigeria will be hoping to make the most of the international exposure as the Future Eagles continue their development on the global stage.
