International Football
NIGERIA IS THE TEAM TO BEAT AS U17 WORLD CUP KICKS OFF
The FIFA U17 World Cup kicks off this Saturday in Brazil, but it is record winners, Nigeria that will get the global attention. No country has won the trophy more than the Nigerian side, which had played eight final matches winning five times in 1985, 1993, 2007, 2013 and 2015.
The three final matches Nigeria lost are those of 1987, 2001 and 2009.
A glance over the years serves to illustrate how the organisers of the past championships endowed each one with an individual flavour.
CHINA 1985
The inaugural FIFA U-16 competition in 1985 – the first international football tournament to be held in China PR – saw stadiums filled to capacity, and the Workers’ Stadium in Beijing, with a capacity of 80,000, packed to the rafters no fewer than four times. African supremacy, which was to leave its mark on championships in later years, began to assert itself, with Nigeria emerging as the winners and Guinea reaching the semi-finals.
CANADA 1987
The sprawling cities of Toronto and Montreal and the picturesque provincial venues of Saint John (New Brunswick) and St. John’s (Newfoundland) provided the backdrop to the second FIFA Under-16 World Tournament in Canada in 1987. Nigeria were on the verge of repeating their 1985 triumph in a thrilling final only to be downed by the Soviet Union in a penalty shootout.
SCOTLAND 1989
In 1989 it was the turn of the first European country, namely Scotland, with its long and sophisticated tradition in professional football, to host this FIFA championship. At the memorable final in Glasgow’s Hampden Park, a crowd of more than 50,000 watched transfixed as the home team, two goals up at half-time, allowed Saudi Arabia to creep up on them and narrowly beat them on penalties after a goalless extra time
ITALY 1991
The Italian FA pulled off a feat of organisational prowess at very short notice when it managed to arrange yet another “Italian summer”. A series of unforgettable matches at six venues scattered all over Tuscany, culminating in technically superior, irresistible winners from Ghana, was the mark of this first U-17 World Championship. In 1991, the age limit for the tournament was raised from U-16 to U-17.
JAPAN 1993
In 1993 (shortly after the triumphant launch of the J. League), the Japanese proved themselves to be perfect and, above all, technologically superb organisers. Nigeria beat Ghana 2-1 in the final, setting new standards in technique and tactics for this age category.
ECUADOR 1995
Ghana’s youngsters made it three in a row for Africa as they swept to a thrilling 3-2 victory over Brazil in the final of the 1995 U-17 World Championship in Guayaquil, Ecuador.
EGYPT 1997
Brazil became the first South American team to win the U-17 World Championship and added the FIFA/JVC Cup to its unparalleled list of international honours. In a repeat of the 1995 U-17 final in Ecuador, Brazil encountered Ghana but this time the roles were reversed. While two years earlier the Africans had held the upper hand, winning 3-2 in the final, this time it was Brazil who came out on top, coming from a goal behind to snatch a dramatic victory from the holders. Africa was the only continent that saw all of their teams – three – make it to the last eight.
NEW ZEALAND 1999
On a day when football in New Zealand set a new record for U-17 crowd attendance, Brazil edged out Australia 8-7 in a penalty shoot-out to retain their crown. A crowd of 22,859 spectators crammed into the stadium to watch. The Aussies, who had made it to their first-ever FIFA final, came close to pipping Brazil with a couple of excellent chances.
TRINIDAD & TOBAGO 2001
France won their first FIFA U-17 World Championship in comprehensive fashion, leading throughout the entire tournament thanks to the lethal strike partnership of Florent Sinama Pongolle and Anthony Le Tallec. Sinama Pongolle scored nine goals, the most in a single U-17 World Championship.
FINLAND 2003
Brazil triumphed 1-0 over Spain at Helsinki’s Töölö stadium to become U-17 world champions for the third time. Although the eventful final produced the strike that equalled the all-time record for the most goals at a single FIFA U-17 World Championship (117 at Egypt 97), the final did not live up to the raucous goalscoring standards of Finland 2003. As always, the competition showcased a wealth of young talent, with the USA’s remarkable 14-year-old Freddy Adu leaving a lasting impression.
PERU 2005
After Ecuador in 1995, Peru became the second South American country to host the FIFA U-17 World Championship. With total attendance figures of over half a million spectators, Peru 2005 is in third place in the all-time FIFA U-17 World Championship ranking behind China PR 1985 and Egypt 1997. Triumphant Mexico sealed their first FIFA World Championship title at youth level, cruising past Brazil 3-0 in the final.
KOREA 2007
In 2007, the tournament was held on Asian soil for the third time and, having scaled the heights at China 1985 and Japan 1993, Nigeria left the continent with their third global crown. The Golden Eaglets also completed a virtual clean sweep of all the other accolades up for grabs at Korea Republic 2007. They edged past Spain on penalties in the final, and their ranks also boasted the adidas Golden Shoe and adidas Silver Ball winner – Macauley Chrisantus.
NIGERIA 2009
This was the second time, following Egypt in 1997, that the FIFA U-17 World Cup had been held on African soil. Switzerland, who were taking part in their first U-17 World Cup, claimed the title with a 1-0 win over Nigeria in the final in Abuja.
For the hosts and defending champions, the defeat meant that they narrowly missed out on becoming the first country to win four U-17 crowns, a feat that would have seen them pull clear of Brazil.
MEXICO 2011
The tournament was hosted by CONCACAF for the third time following Canada in 1987 and Trinidad & Tobago in 2001. By defeating Uruguay 2-0 at the legendary Azteca Stadium in Mexico City, hosts Mexico claimed the title for the second time, the first being in 2005. Uruguay reached the final for the first time.
UAE 2013
The FIFA U-17 World Cup UAE 2013 featured exciting matches and stunning results, with the young Nigerians claiming the trophy by overcoming Mexico in the final. The Africans therefore became the only country to win the tournament four times, surpassing the achievements of Brazil, crowned champions on three occasions.
CHILE 2015
Nigeria became the first country to win the title for a fifth time, and with Mali also reaching the final, Chile 2015 had the first all-African final since 1993 when Nigeria saw off Ghana.
There was another surprise team on the last step of the podium, with Belgium taking bronze despite being less fancied than other European participants, such as France and Germany, who both shone before being knocked out in the round of 16.
INDIA 2017
The tournament was won by England after a thrilling 5-2 victory in the final against Spain. There was plenty to celebrate throughout the competition with a record number of 183 goals, the most of any U-17 World Cup edition which was also watched by record attendances totalling 1.35 million spectators across the country.
Soccer chiefs from Europe and South America will hold a final meeting before a Thursday deadline to decide whether and where this month’s “Finalissima” between Spain and Argentina will be played, with London emerging as the leading candidate after doubts over Doha, multiple sources told Reuters on Tuesday.
The match between European champions Spain and Copa America holders Argentina had been scheduled for March 27 at Lusail Stadium in Doha.
However, it has become increasingly unlikely that Qatar will host the fixture after the Qatar Football Association suspended soccer tournaments indefinitely following U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran and retaliatory missiles fired at the Arabian Peninsula.
The Spanish FA (RFEF) has been pushing for a swift resolution, mindful that the March international break is viewed as vital preparation ahead of the June-July World Cup in North America.
“I know that negotiations are underway,” Spain coach Luis de la Fuente told Spanish Public Radio (RNE) on Monday. “The first thing, as a society, is to stop the conflict, but once you are immersed in it and you don’t know how long it will last, the solution would be, as long as you can’t play there, to find another venue as soon as possible.
Wembley Stadium staged the previous edition in 2022, when Argentina beat Italy, but it is set to host England v Uruguay on March 27. London, however, has other stadiums capable of staging the showpiece, leaving the English capital as the most likely alternative should Doha be ruled out, sources confirmed.
ALTERNATIVE OPPONENTS CONSIDERED
While keen to face Argentina and high-profile players such as Lionel Messi, sources told Reuters that Spain had made clear their priority was not to waste the last window of international fixtures before the World Cup and they were already contemplating alternative opponents.
With Spain also due to face Egypt three days later, any change would require agreement between the RFEF and European soccer body UEFA, South American confederation CONMEBOL, global governing body FIFA and the Argentine FA (AFA).
The RFEF, AFA and UEFA did not immediately respond to Reuters requests for comment.
A spokesperson for South American confederation CONMEBOL told Reuters that several meetings between the parties had taken place in recent days but did not confirm Thursday’s deadline or London as the preferred venue.
Madrid was initially proposed by the RFEF but rejected by the AFA, who preferred a neutral venue rather than giving Spain home advantage.
Morocco offered to stage the game, but the RFEF was unwilling to back their Mediterranean neighbours amid tensions behind the scenes over the 2030 World Cup, which Spain, Morocco and Portugal will co-host. Both Spain and Morocco are campaigning to stage the final.
Miami was also considered, with Messi based there at Inter Miami, but Hard Rock Stadium is hosting the Miami Open tennis tournament at the same time.
-Reuters
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International Football
Spain-Argentina ‘Finalissima’ in Qatar at risk amid US, Israel attacks on Iran
The match between Spain and Argentina, tagged “Finalissima” in Doha, is in doubt after the Qatar Football Association suspended soccer tournaments indefinitely following U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran and retaliatory missiles fired at the Arabian Peninsula.
The contest between European Championship winners Spain and Copa America champions Argentina was scheduled for March 27 at Doha’s Lusail Stadium, with potential big-name draws including Lamine Yamal and Lionel Messi.
“Qatar Football Association announces the postponement of all tournaments, competitions and matches, effective from today and until further notice,” the association said in a statement on Sunday.
“The new dates for the resumption of competitions will be announced in due course through the Association’s official channels.”
The final call on whether to postpone the game rests with event organisers UEFA and CONMEBOL.
The Bahrain Football Association postponed all its matches until further notice, while the Asian Football Confederation on Sunday announced it was delaying Champions League Elite fixtures in the region.
The Asian Champions League Two, currently at the quarter-final stage, has also been impacted, along with games in the Challenge League.
Countries across the Middle East have been on high alert since Saturday, when the U.S. and Israel launched air strikes against Iran, aimed at diminishing Iran’s military capability.
Iran retaliated by attacking U.S. targets around the region, including in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
On Sunday, Qatar’s interior ministry reported a fire in an industrial zone after debris fell from an intercepted missile.
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International Football
Iran Conflict Casts Uncertainty Over Super Eagles’ Four-Nation Tournament Opener
Nigeria’s Super Eagles may face fresh uncertainty ahead of their scheduled participation in a Four-Nation Invitational Tournament in Amman, Jordan, following reports that Iran — their intended first opponents — is now at war after attacks by the United States and Israel.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) had earlier confirmed that the Super Eagles would compete in the mini-tournament during the FIFA Men’s International Window in March 2026. The competition is slated to run from March 27 to 31 in the Jordanian capital.
Under the original fixture schedule, Nigeria were due to open the tournament on Friday, March 27 against Iran’s senior national team at the 17,000-capacity Amman International Stadium. Hosts Jordan were set to face Costa Rica the same day at the 62,000-capacity King Abdullah Sports City Stadium.
However, the escalating military confrontation involving Iran has cast serious doubt over the participation of the Iranian national team and the viability of the opening fixture.
While tournament organisers in Jordan have yet to issue an official statement regarding possible changes, the developing security situation is expected to force urgent consultations between the participating federations, tournament organisers and FIFA.
The competition was designed to provide competitive match exposure during a window initially reserved for the intercontinental play-off for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Nigeria’s inclusion in the tournament had already generated debate at home, with observers questioning whether the NFF’s commitment signalled a shift in focus away from potential qualification disputes.
The new geopolitical crisis further complicates matters. International conflicts often trigger travel restrictions, airspace closures and security advisories that can directly affect national teams’ ability to assemble and travel.
Should Iran withdraw or be unable to participate, organisers may be compelled to seek a replacement team or adjust the fixture format entirely.
Nigeria are scheduled to face hosts Jordan on March 31 in their second match of the tournament, while Costa Rica and Iran were originally billed to meet the same day at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium.
Kick-off times for the four fixtures had yet to be officially announced before the outbreak of hostilities.
For the Super Eagles, the tournament was seen as an opportunity to build cohesion and test tactical adjustments ahead of future competitive engagements. Now, attention will turn to whether the event can proceed as planned — and whether Nigeria’s opening match will require a late reshuffle.
The NFF is expected to monitor developments closely and may issue further clarification in the coming days as the regional and international situation evolves.
Meanwhile, Reuters has quoted a senior Israeli official as saying that Iran’s Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is dead. But the Iranians have dismissed the claim, saying that the leader is ‘firmly commanding the field’. Both Israel and the US launched strikes on Iran.
President Donald Trump says action will give Iranians a chance to topple their rulers. Hits were reported in Israel and Gulf states as Iran retaliated. The attack has triggered fear and panics as as Iranians flee cities.
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