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Golden Eaglets (Nigeria U-17)
Five-time FIFA U-17 world champions.
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Checked 30 September 2026
Golden Eaglets (Nigeria U-17)
The Golden Eaglets, Nigeria’s under-17 men’s team, are the most successful side in the history of the FIFA U-17 World Cup, with five titles (1985, 1993, 2007, 2013 and 2015) and three more finals. The first title, won in China in 1985 at the very first edition of the tournament, made the whole world notice Nigerian youth football.
Many Super Eagles began here: Nwankwo Kanu (1993), Kelechi Iheanacho (2013), and Victor Osimhen and Samuel Chukwueze (2015). The Eaglets have also been African U-17 champions twice (2001 and 2007). They did not qualify for the 2025 U-17 World Cup in Qatar.
| Year | Host | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 1985 | China | Champions: 2-0 against West Germany in Beijing; captain Nduka Ugbade |
| 1987 | Canada | Runners-up, lost the final to the Soviet Union on penalties |
| 1993 | Japan | Champions: 2-1 against Ghana; Nwankwo Kanu and Wilson Oruma starred |
| 2001 | Trinidad and Tobago | Runners-up, lost 3-0 to France |
| 2007 | South Korea | Champions: 0-0 against Spain, won on penalties; Macauley Chrisantus top scorer |
| 2009 | Nigeria (hosts) | Runners-up, lost 1-0 to Switzerland in Abuja |
| 2013 | United Arab Emirates | Champions: 3-0 against Mexico; Kelechi Iheanacho won the Golden Ball |
| 2015 | Chile | Champions: 2-0 against Mali; Victor Osimhen scored a record 10 goals |
More Nigerian football
Football in Nigeria
Nigeria’s favourite sport and its national teams.Read more
History of Nigerian football
From the barefoot 1949 tour to Olympic gold.Read more
Super Eagles
Nigeria’s men’s team: 3 AFCON titles, 6 World Cups.Read more
Super Eagles at the World Cup
Every World Cup from USA 1994 to Russia 2018.Read more
AFCON and Olympic football
Three African titles and the 1996 Olympic gold.Read more
Super Eagles stadiums
The MKO Abiola Stadium in Abuja and other home grounds.Read more
Super Falcons
Africa’s queens: 10 continental titles.Read more
Nigeria’s youth teams
Golden Eaglets, Flying Eagles, Flamingos and Falconets.Read more
Flying Eagles (U-20)
Two World Cup finals and the Miracle of Dammam.Read more
Flamingos (women’s U-17)
World Cup bronze in 2022.Read more
Falconets (women’s U-20)
Two World Cup finals, 2010 and 2014.Read more
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Nigerians in Europe
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Rising Stars
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Contact the NFF
Nigeria Football Federation, Abuja.Read more
Quick answers
Golden Eaglets: quick answers
How many U-17 World Cups have the Golden Eaglets won?
Five: 1985, 1993, 2007, 2013 and 2015, more than any other country. They were also runners-up in 1987, 2001 and 2009.
Which stars played for the Golden Eaglets?
Nwankwo Kanu (1993), Kelechi Iheanacho (2013 Golden Ball), and Victor Osimhen, who scored a record 10 goals in 2015, among many others.