Nigeria Future Eagles Eliminated from FIFA U-15 World Cup After 6-3 Defeat to Benin

Nigeria’s Future Eagles have been eliminated from the Tier C competition at the 2026 FIFA U-15 World Cup and Festival after losing 6-3 to Benin in the Round of 16 in Baku, Azerbaijan.

The U15 Guépards scored six goals to secure their place in the quarter-finals of Group C, ending Nigeria’s campaign in the tier competition.

Timothy Ijach scored twice for Nigeria, while Wisdom Boniface also found the net, but the Future Eagles could not prevent defeat.

Ijach Scores Twice in Nigeria's Defeat

Nigeria’s Captain Timothy Ijach, scored in the 26th minute before Wisdom Boniface added a second goal in the 28th minute.

Ijach struck again in the 37th minute to complete his brace, giving Nigeria three goals in the encounter.

However, Benin scored six times to claim a 6-3 victory and book their place in the next round.

Nigeria vs Benin: Nigeria's Goal Scorers

• 26' Timothy Ijach

• 28' Wisdom Boniface

• 37' Timothy Ijach

From 7-0 Victory to Tier C Exit

Nigeria entered the Round of 16 after recording a convincing 7-0 victory over New Caledonia.

Wisdom Oche opened the scoring in the first minute of that match, while Ijach scored three times in the 12th, 16th and 35th minutes.

Abdulsalam Muhammad added two goals in the 21st and 39th minutes, with Mayowa Salu completing the scoring in the 40th minute.

That performance raised expectations ahead of the meeting with Benin, but the Future Eagles were unable to reproduce the same result.

The 6-3 defeat means Nigeria's participation in the Tier C competition ends at the Round of 16 stage.

Nigeria's Opening-Stage Record

Before entering the tier competition, Nigeria finished third in Group AD with seven points from five matches.

The Future Eagles recorded one win and four draws, scoring 11 goals and conceding 10.

Their results were:

• Nigeria 3-3 South Sudan

• Jordan 2-2 Nigeria

• Nigeria 3-3 The Gambia

• Cyprus 1-2 Nigeria

• Pakistan 1-1 Nigeria

Nigeria's only victory in the opening stage came against Cyprus, before their 7-0 win over New Caledonia in the Tier C Round of 32.

However, the defeat to Benin brought their Tier C campaign to an end.

Benin Advance to Group C Quarter-Finals

Benin will continue their campaign in the quarter-finals of Group C after overcoming Nigeria.

For the Future Eagles, attention now turns to reviewing their performances at the tournament, where they showed attacking promise but were unable to progress beyond the Tier C Round of 16.

The 2026 FIFA U-15 World Cup and Festival features an eight-a-side format, with matches played over two 20-minute halves.