Nigeria Future Eagles: Coach Bassey Names 23 Players for FIFA U15 World Cup in Azerbaijan 2026

Nigeria’s U15 boys, known as the Future Eagles, will begin preparations for the 2026 FIFA U15 Youth World Cup and Festival after head coach Patrick Bassey invited 23 players to camp.

According to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), the invited players are expected to report to the NFF/FIFA Goal Project Hostel at the MKO Abiola National Stadium in Abuja on Tuesday, October 13.

The tournament will take place in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, from October 22 to 31, 2026.

The NFF has instructed the players to bring appropriate football boots for artificial turf, which will be used for training in Abuja and Baku, as well as during the competition.

State Football Associations, clubs, academies, schools and the parents or guardians of the invited players have also been asked to bring the players to camp.

Bassey to Lead Future Eagles

Bassey will lead Nigeria’s preparations for the tournament, assisted by Husaini Lawan Umar and Augustine Iyamu.

The 23-player squad features footballers from different development pathways, including academies, clubs, schools and the NFF Talent Development Scheme (NFF TDS).

The invitation provides the selected players with an opportunity to prepare for an international youth competition as Nigeria look ahead to the tournament in Azerbaijan.

Full List of 23 Invited Future Eagles Players

Goalkeepers

1. Victor Wisdom – Eagles Wings Academy, Abuja

2. Peter Linus – HB Academy, Abuja

Defenders

1. Daniel Olaomi – Eagles Wings Academy

2. Prosperity Anionovo – Buruj Football Academy, Lagos

3. Timothy Ijachi – Mavlon FC, Lagos

4. David Okwusogu – NFF TDS

5. Michael Ibironke – NFF TDS

6. Sani Bello – Greenlock Academy

7. Mabub Akinlabi – Utmost FC

Midfielders

1. Abdulsalam Muhammad – Simonben Academy, Kaduna

2. Martin Chukwu – AS Roma Academy, Abuja

3. Ayomide Jekami – NFF TDS

4. Mayowa Salu – NFF TDS

5. Baasit Bolaji Abdullahi – Chrisland High School

6. Emmanuel Olagoke – 3SC Youth Team, Ibadan

7. Malik Abdulkareem – NFF TDS

8. Samuel Akinde – Utmost FC

Forwards

1. Abdulrazak Mufutau – 12Alive FC, Ibadan

2. Wisdom Oche – Shakhandam Academy, Abuja

3. Wisdom Boniface – Adoration Academy, Enugu

4. Samuel Amodu – NFF TDS

5. Bello Shittu – Greenlock Academy

6. Daniel Pamfey – Gwol FC, Jos

Nigeria’s Group and Fixtures in Azerbaijan

Nigeria have been drawn in Group AD alongside Cyprus, The Gambia, Jordan, Pakistan and South Sudan.

The Future Eagles are scheduled to play each of their five group opponents once between October 24 and 26, according to the tournament schedule provided.

Nigeria’s group-stage fixtures

1. October 24: Nigeria vs South Sudan, 11:30 (Nigeria time)

2. October 25: Nigeria vs Jordan, 09:45 (Nigeria time)

3. October 25: Nigeria vs The Gambia, 16:30 (Nigeria time)

4. October 26: Cyprus vs Nigeria, 08:30 (Nigeria time)

5. October 26: Pakistan vs Nigeria, 15:15 (Nigeria time)

How the Tournament Format Works

The tournament uses a tier system, meaning teams will not be eliminated after the group stage.

Nigeria’s position in Group AD will determine the tier in which the team competes during the next stage. Winning the group would place the Future Eagles in Tier A, the highest tier, while finishing second would put them in Tier B. Other teams will be assigned to the remaining tiers according to their group positions.

The tournament stage is scheduled for October 28 and 29, followed by the tier finals on October 30. Each tier will have its own winner, with Tier A representing the highest level of the competition.

Matches are played in an eight-a-side format, with two 20-minute halves. Drawn matches are decided by penalty shoot-outs.

Abuja Camp Begins Preparations for Baku

The Future Eagles’ camp in Abuja marks the start of preparations for the international competition, which brings together youth teams in Baku.

With five group matches scheduled across three days, Nigeria will need to prepare for a demanding opening phase before the tier competition begins.

Nigeria’s U15 Boys National Team, Future Eagles, on Wednesday, 21st Octtober, 2026 departed the country for Baku, capital city of Azerbaijan, where they will take part in the inaugural FIFA U15 World Cup and Festival scheduled for 22nd – 31st October.

Ademola Sports will continue to follow the Future Eagles’ preparations for Azerbaijan 2026.