Nigeria’s Future Eagles completed the opening stage of the inaugural 2026 FIFA U-15 World Cup and Festival without a defeat, following a 2-1 win over Cyprus and a 1-1 draw with Pakistan in Baku, Azerbaijan, on Monday.
The Nigerian under-15 team ended the first phase with seven points from five outings, having won once and drawn four times. Their unbeaten run ensures they remain involved in the tournament as the competition moves into its next tier.
Unbeaten opening phase
- Nigeria started their campaign with a 3-3 draw against South Sudan.
- The Future Eagles then shared four goals with Jordan in a 2-2 result.
- A further 3-3 encounter against The Gambia gave Nigeria three straight draws in their opening fixtures.
- They claimed their first victory against Cyprus, coming through 2-1 after the earlier sequence of stalemates.
- Later in the afternoon, Nigeria closed the first stage with a 1-1 draw against Pakistan.
Wisdom Oche gave the Future Eagles a goal against Cyprus, while captain Timothy Ogar Ijachi struck the match-winning goal. Ijachi had recovered from the knock he suffered during Sunday’s draw with The Gambia before making his decisive contribution.
Ijachi levels against Pakistan
Pakistan took the lead in the 21st minute through Kaleemulah, but Nigeria’s captain responded four minutes later. Ijachi found the equaliser in the 25th minute to maintain his scoring run and protect his side’s unbeaten status.
Neither team was able to add another goal, leaving the game level at 1-1. The outcome denied Nigeria a second successive win, but it kept their record intact in Baku.
With three draws across their first four games before the Cyprus success, the Future Eagles consistently remained in contention throughout the opening schedule and finished it with a seven-point haul.
Next stage awaits
The FIFA U-15 World Cup and Festival uses a format without elimination after the first phase. Rather than leaving the event, participating teams move into later tiers of the competition.
As a result, Nigeria’s tournament is not over following the conclusion of their initial fixtures. The Future Eagles are waiting to learn which tier they will enter next as they continue their challenge for honours in Azerbaijan.
The event brings together emerging players from countries across different regions, offering developing footballers the chance to gain international competitive experience and measure themselves against unfamiliar opponents.
Nigeria will now focus on the next phase in Baku, seeking to build on an opening stage in which they did not lose.
