Team Nigeria at YWC New York 2026
ONA is leading Team Nigeria

Youth World Challenge 2027

Team Nigeria.
Brazil 2027.

ÓMÓ Naija Athletes has been appointed to lead Team Nigeria at the 2027 Youth World Challenge in Rio de Janeiro. This is the village in action. Not just a delegation. A pathway.

Primary Edition Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Dates August 10-14, 2027
Categories U10, U12, U14 Boys · U12 Girls
Register Your Interest Our Story
Team Nigeria is Coming to Brazil 2027 - Four Teams. One Mission. Endless Possibilities.
4
Team Nigeria Squads
50%+
Players Based in Nigeria
1
Team Nigeria

How It Started

It started in New York.

In the summer of 2026, two Nigerian parents stood on a soccer field in New York and watched their children captain Team Africa together at the inaugural Youth World Challenge. Liza Matthews and Jeff Adesanya led their U10 team side by side, wearing the green and gold, representing something bigger than themselves.

Their parents went home with more than memories. Bisi Matthews and Dr. Adewale Adesanya went home with a mandate. They had seen firsthand what this tournament could mean for young Nigerian players. And they knew it could be bigger, more structured, more connected to the homeland.

"This is not just about assembling competitive teams. It is about building a bridge between the Nigerian children growing up here and the players developing at home."

Following YWC New York 2026, ONA engaged tournament leadership and was appointed to lead Team Nigeria for Brazil 2027. The experience gained in New York now serves as the foundation for something the village has been building toward all along.

Bisi, Liza and Dr. Adesanya with the Nigerian flag at YWC Bisi and Dr. Ade at the YWC opening ceremony
Liza and Jeff walking into the YWC
YWC New York 2026

Two captains.
One dream.

Liza Matthews and Jeff Adesanya walked into the Youth World Challenge as co-captains of Team Africa. Their parents came home and built something. That walk, two Nigerian kids, side by side, toward the field, is where Team Nigeria Brazil 2027 began.

Co-CaptainLiza Matthews
Co-CaptainJeff Adesanya

Our Mission

Not just a delegation.
A pathway.

ONA Team Nigeria exists to build trusted pathways that connect young Nigerian footballers to meaningful international opportunities, while strengthening the relationships among players, families, academies, coaches, communities, and partners who support their development.

Brazil 2027 will field four Team Nigeria squads across U10 Boys, U12 Boys, U14 Boys, and U12 Girls. Our target is to recruit at least 50% of participating players directly from Nigeria, creating a genuine bridge between players developing at home and Nigerian players developing in the diaspora.

Player First

The long-term welfare and development of young athletes takes priority over everything else. Always.

Integrity

Financial capacity will never determine sporting selection. Transparent standards govern every decision.

Access

We are building to reduce avoidable barriers to participation, particularly for talented players whose opportunities may be constrained.

Excellence

High standards in planning, coaching, safeguarding, communication, and every aspect of the delegation experience.

Legacy

Brazil 2027 should leave ONA and the Nigerian football pathway stronger and better prepared for what comes next.

Tournament Details

Two editions.
One global platform.

ONA Team Nigeria's primary focus is Brazil. The USA edition runs before Brazil, so players can participate in both.

Primary Focus

YWC Brazil 2027

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
DatesAugust 10-14, 2027
CategoriesU10 Boys, U12 Boys, U14 Boys, U12 Girls
Our Squad4 Team Nigeria squads, one delegation
Why BrazilHost of FIFA Women's World Cup 2027, heart of world football, ideal conditions
ONA's goal is to recruit at least 50% of Team Nigeria players directly from Nigeria, with qualified Nigerian diaspora players completing the squads.
Secondary Option

YWC USA 2027

US University Campus
DatesJuly 27 to August 1, 2027
CategoriesU10, U12, U14 Boys
ForPlayers living in the US, representing their national identity
OverlapRuns before Brazil. Players can participate in both editions.
A secondary strategic option for Nigerian diaspora families who may not be able to travel to Brazil. More details coming as plans develop.

From New York 2026

This is what to expect.

A glimpse of YWC New York 2026. Brazil 2027 will be bigger, bolder, and built on everything we learned in New York.

Bisi and Liza with the Nigerian flag
Liza with captain armband
Game action at YWC
Liza on the YWC stage
International teammates at YWC
View Full YWC Gallery

The Leadership

Built by parents who were there.

ONA Team Nigeria is led by two parents who were at YWC New York 2026 as part of the Team Africa delegation and came home with a vision for something bigger.

Founder and Executive Lead

Bisi Matthews, Esq.

Founder and CEO, ÓMÓ Naija Athletes

Nigerian-born attorney, executive consultant, and speaker. Former Director of Enforcement at the San Francisco Ethics Commission. Mother of Liza, co-captain of Team Africa's U10 group at YWC New York 2026. Leads overall strategy, external representation, and the YWC relationship for Team Nigeria.

Co-Leader Team Nigeria Brazil, 2027

Dr. Adewale Adesanya, Ph.D.

Co-Leader, Team Nigeria Brazil 2027

Engineer and energy and climate strategist, and co-leader of the Team Nigeria Brazil 2027 initiative. Nigerian parent, and father of Jeff Adesanya, co-captain of Team Africa's U10 group alongside Liza at YWC New York 2026. Co-leads program development, Nigeria-based engagement, player and family coordination, and tournament execution.

Get Involved

Is your child Team Nigeria?

We are in the early stages of building Team Nigeria for Brazil 2027. If your child plays football and carries Nigerian heritage, we want to hear from you. Register your interest and ONA will be in touch as recruitment planning develops.

  • Parent / Guardian InformationTell us who to contact as we build the Team Nigeria player pool.
  • Player InformationHelp us get to know your young athlete and confirm age-group eligibility.
  • Football BackgroundTell us about your player's current team, playing experience, position and development journey.
  • Nigerian Heritage & ConnectionTeam Nigeria is rooted in identity. Tell us about your player's connection to Nigeria.
  • Brazil 2027 Interest & AvailabilityHelp us understand your family's interest, travel readiness and availability for the 2027 Youth World Challenge.
  • Final Details & ConsentAlmost there. Please review the final information and confirm your family's interest in hearing from ONA Team Nigeria.

Registering your interest does not guarantee selection. Formal recruitment and selection criteria will be communicated as planning develops.

Register Your Interest

Six sections, about 5 minutes. Responses go directly and securely to ONA Team Nigeria leadership.

Prefer a new tab? Open the form directly.

Your privacy is protected. Your information will only be used to contact you about ONA Team Nigeria Brazil 2027. We will never sell or share your data.

The village is going to Brazil.

Whether your child plays football, you want to support the mission, or you believe in what ONA is building, join the village. Be part of the community making Team Nigeria real.

Join the Village Email ONA Directly