Nigeria’s Future Eagles will begin their campaign at the inaugural FIFA U-15 World Cup and Festival against South Sudan on Saturday, October 24, as head coach Patrick Bassey’s side seeks a positive start to the international youth competition in Baku, Azerbaijan.

The encounter is scheduled for pitch 1B at 14:30 GMT local time (11:30 am Nigerian time) at the Hovsan Competition Complex, with the eight-a-side contest serving as Nigeria’s first of five group-stage matches in three days.  

The Future Eagles arrived in Baku on Thursday after travelling from Abuja through Istanbul. The Nigerian delegation comprises 14 players and six officials, including Bassey and team administrator Nasiru Jibril.  

Nigeria have been drawn in Group AD alongside South Sudan, Jordan, The Gambia, Cyprus and Pakistan. Their opening fixture presents an early opportunity to establish momentum before a demanding schedule involving four more matches on Sunday and Monday.  

Future Eagles Seek Winning Start

Bassey’s team will need to combine attacking sharpness with defensive organisation in a format that differs from conventional 11-a-side football.

Matches at the tournament consist of two 20-minute halves, with eight players per team. The shorter playing time leaves little room for slow starts, making quick transitions, efficient finishing and concentration important factors.  

Nigeria will also have to manage their energy carefully, given that the group-stage programme requires them to play five matches within three days.

After facing South Sudan, the Future Eagles will meet Jordan and The Gambia on Sunday before completing their group fixtures against Cyprus and Pakistan on Monday.  

Probable Nigeria Line-up

The Nigeria Football Federation has announced the 14-man travelling squad but has not published an official starting line-up for the South Sudan match.

Based on the announced squad, the likely options include Victor Wisdom or Peter Linus in goal, with defenders Daniel Olaomi, Prosperity Anionovo, Timothy Ijachi, David Okwusogu and Michael Ibironke available for selection.

Midfield options include Abdulsalam Muhammad, Martin Chukwu, Ayomide Jekami and Mayowa Salu, while Abdulrazak Mufutau, Wisdom Oche and Wisdom Boniface provide attacking options.

Possible starting selection: Victor Wisdom; Daniel Olaomi, Prosperity Anionovo; Abdulsalam Muhammad, Martin Chukwu; Wisdom Oche, Abdulrazak Mufutau, Wisdom Boniface.

This is a projected line-up, not a confirmed team sheet. The final selection and tactical arrangement remain at the discretion of the coaching staff.  

Players to Watch

Forward Abdulrazak Mufutau, who plays for 12Alive FC in Ibadan, is among the attacking options available to Nigeria, alongside Wisdom Oche of Shakhandam Academy and Wisdom Boniface of Adoration Academy.

In midfield, Martin Chukwu of AS Roma Academy in Abuja and Abdulsalam Muhammad of Simonben Academy in Kaduna are among the players who could help Nigeria control possession and connect midfield with attack.

Defensively, Daniel Olaomi, Prosperity Anionovo and Timothy Ijachi are among the options available to Bassey as he seeks to build a balanced team for the competition.

The squad also includes goalkeepers Victor Wisdom of Eagles Wings Academy and Peter Linus of HB Academy, both based in Abuja.  

How to Watch Nigeria vs South Sudan

The FIFA U-15 World Cup and Festival will be streamed live and free worldwide through FIFA+ on DAZN, according to FIFA’s broadcast announcement.

Supporters can check the official FIFA+ platform for the match stream and any regional access requirements.  

Tournament Format and What Is at Stake

The inaugural competition is taking place in Baku from October 22 to 31, 2026, with the qualification-stage matches scheduled for October 24–27.

Results from the opening phase will determine the performance tier in which each team competes during the tournament stage. The competition has six tiers, and every participating team will continue playing after the group phase, providing additional international experience regardless of its initial results.  

The tier finals are scheduled for October 30, with the Tier A winners to be crowned the overall FIFA U-15 World Cup and Festival champions.  

For Nigeria, the opening match against South Sudan is an opportunity to begin the tournament with confidence while adapting to the demands of the eight-a-side format. With a compact playing schedule and several opponents to face in quick succession, squad rotation, recovery and consistency could prove crucial to the Future Eagles’ progress.