Nigeria’s Future Eagles will begin their Tier C campaign at the 2026 FIFA U-15 World Cup and Festival against New Caledonia on Wednesday, October 28, in Baku, Azerbaijan.

Head coach Patrick Bassey’s side will aim to extend their unbeaten run in the inaugural tournament as they enter the second phase of the competition.

The encounter is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. Nigerian time at the Hovsan Competition Complex in Baku.

Match Details

Fixture: Nigeria U-15 vs New Caledonia U-15

Date: Wednesday, October 28, 2026

Kick-off: 8:30 a.m. WAT (11:30 a.m. Baku time)

Venue: Hovsan Competition Complex, Baku, Azerbaijan

Competition: FIFA U-15 World Cup and Festival

Phase: Tier C Round of 32

Nigeria finished third in Group AD with seven points from five matches, recording one victory and four draws without a defeat.

The Future Eagles began their campaign with a 3-3 draw against South Sudan before playing out a 2-2 stalemate with Jordan. They subsequently shared six goals with The Gambia in another 3-3 draw.

Bassey’s team secured their only victory of the qualification stage against Cyprus, coming from behind to win 2-1 through goals from captain Wisdom Oche and Timothy Ijach.

Their final group fixture ended in a 1-1 draw against Pakistan, with Ijach scoring Nigeria’s equaliser.

Nigeria finished the opening phase with 11 goals scored and 10 conceded. Their third-place finish placed them in Tier C for the second stage of the tournament.

New Caledonia also finished third in their group, Group AA, to qualify for Tier C.

They accumulated four points from four matches, recording one win, one draw and two defeats. The team scored seven goals and conceded 17, ending the opening phase with a goal difference of minus 10.

Their record suggests Nigeria will face a side that has demonstrated its ability to secure results despite experiencing defensive difficulties during the qualification stage.

Nigeria’s unbeaten record provides encouragement ahead of Wednesday’s encounter, although the four draws in the opening phase highlight the need to convert more scoring opportunities into victories.

With 11 goals in five matches, the Future Eagles have shown attacking potential. Maintaining that threat while improving their defensive organisation will be important as they seek to overcome New Caledonia.

The match forms part of the tournament’s second phase, in which teams are placed into performance-based tiers according to their results in the qualification stage. Teams will continue competing through to the end of the event.

The match is scheduled to be available live and free on FIFA+ via DAZN.

Live stream: DAZN FIFA+

Official viewing information: FIFA’s “Where to watch the U-15 World Cup and Festival” guide

Kick-off is set for 8:30 a.m. in Nigeria, corresponding to 11:30 a.m. in Baku.

The tournament features an eight-a-side format, with matches played over two 20-minute halves.

Results from the opening qualification stage determine each team’s placement in one of six tiers for the second phase, allowing teams to continue competing against opponents within their respective tiers.

Nigeria will look to open their Tier C campaign with a victory over New Caledonia and maintain their unbeaten record in Baku.