Nigeria’s Future Eagles have been eliminated from the Tier C competition at 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.

The U-15 Guépards scored six goals to secure their place in the Group C quarter-finals, bringing Nigeria’s campaign in the tier competition to an end.

Nigeria captain Timothy Ijach scored twice, while Wisdom Boniface also found the net, but the Future Eagles were unable to prevent defeat despite their three goals.

Ijach opened Nigeria’s scoring in the 26th minute before Boniface doubled the team’s tally two minutes later.

The Nigerian captain struck again in the 37th minute to complete his brace, but Benin’s six-goal haul proved decisive as the Guépards advanced to the next round with a 6-3 victory.

The Future Eagles entered the Round of 16 following an emphatic 7-0 victory over New Caledonia in the Tier C Round of 32.

Wisdom Oche opened the scoring in the first minute, while Ijach netted three times in the 12th, 16th and 35th minutes.

Abdulsalam Muhammad added two goals in the 21st and 39th minutes, while Mayowa Salu completed the scoring in the 40th minute.

However, Nigeria could not reproduce that dominant performance against Benin, with the 6-3 loss ending their hopes of progressing further in the Tier C competition.

Before entering the tier competition, Nigeria finished third in Group AD with seven points from five matches.

The Future Eagles recorded one victory and four draws, scoring 11 goals and conceding 10.

Nigeria’s only victory in the opening stage came against Cyprus before their 7-0 triumph over New Caledonia in the Tier C Round of 32.

The defeat to Benin, however, brought their participation in the tier competition to an end at the Round of 16 stage.

Benin will continue their campaign in the Group C quarter-finals after overcoming Nigeria.

For the Future Eagles, the tournament ends with encouraging attacking performances in the tier competition but disappointment at their inability to progress beyond the Round of 16.

The 2026 FIFA U-15 World Cup and Festival features an eight-a-side format, with matches played over two 20-minute halves.