Nigeria’s Future Eagles have been eliminated from 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 contain Benin’s attacking threat. Captain Timothy Ijach scored twice in the 26th and 37th minutes, while Wisdom Boniface added another in the 28th minute, but the U-15 Guépards maintained their intensity to secure a convincing victory and advance to the Tier C quarter-finals.
The loss came shortly after Nigeria had produced a commanding 7-0 win over New Caledonia in the Round of 32 earlier on the same day. Wisdom Oche opened the scoring in the first minute, Ijach completed a hat-trick, Abdulsalam Muhammad scored twice, and Mayowa Salu also found the net as the Future Eagles progressed.
The defeat marked Nigeria’s first loss of the tournament after previously recording two wins and four draws, scoring 21 goals and conceding 16 overall. In the group stage, the Future Eagles finished third and unbeaten in Group AD with seven points, drawing 3-3 with South Sudan, 2-2 with Jordan, 3-3 with The Gambia and 1-1 with Pakistan, while defeating Cyprus 2-1.
Their impressive victory over New Caledonia had raised hopes of a deeper run in the Tier C competition, but the heavy defeat to Benin brought their campaign to an end at the Round of 16 stage.
Benin will now advance to the Tier C quarter-finals as they continue their pursuit of further progress in the festival.
