Nigeria’s Future Eagles have suffered their second defeat in the classification phase of the 2026 FIFA U-15 World Cup and Festival, losing to Chile on penalties after a thrilling 3-3 draw on Thursday, October 29.

The result means Nigeria will face Panama in the match for 75th place on Friday, October 30, at the Hovsan Competition Complex in Baku, Azerbaijan.

The Future Eagles reached the classification semi-final after drawing 1-1 with Rwanda and winning 4-3 in the ensuing penalty shootout. However, they were unable to repeat that success against Chile, who prevailed 3-2 on penalties after both teams finished regulation time level at three goals apiece.

Nigeria finished third in Group AD with seven points from five matches, recording one victory and four draws. The team scored 11 goals and conceded 10 during the group stage.

Following their third-place finish in Group AD, the Future Eagles continued in Tier C, the classification pathway for teams outside the higher placement contests.

Nigeria recorded an emphatic 7-0 victory over New Caledonia, with Timothy Ijach scoring four goals in the 12th, 16th, 35th and 40th minutes. Wisdom Oche, Abdulsalam Muhammad and Mayowa Salu also found the net.

However, Nigeria’s bid for the Tier C title ended in the Round of 16 following a 6-3 defeat to Benin. Ijach scored twice, while Wisdom Boniface netted Nigeria’s other goal.

After exiting the Tier C title contest, Nigeria moved into the lower-place classification matches.

Against Rwanda in the 73rd–76th-place classification match, Wisdom Boniface scored with a free kick in the 26th minute before Rwanda equalised in the 39th minute. The encounter ended 1-1, with Nigeria winning the penalty shootout 4-3 to advance to the semi-final.

The Future Eagles faced Chile in the 73rd–76th-place semi-final on Thursday, but despite another closely contested encounter that ended 3-3 after regulation time, Nigeria lost 3-2 on penalties.

The defeat ended Nigeria’s hopes of contesting for 73rd place and set up a meeting with Panama for 75th place.

Nigeria will have another opportunity to finish the tournament on a positive note when they take on Panama on Friday, October 30, at the Hovsan Competition Complex in Baku, Azerbaijan, in the match for 75th place.