ONA is leading Team Nigeria
Youth World Challenge 2027

Team Nigeria.
YWC 2027.

Ómó Naija Athletes will be leading Team Nigeria to the 2027 Youth World Challenge. Two editions. One flag. One village.

🇺🇸 USA Edition July 27 – Aug 1, 2027 US University Campus · For US-based players See details below 🌍 Brazil Edition August 10 – 14, 2027 Rio de Janeiro · Global diaspora welcome See details below
Register Your Interest Our Mission
A note for girls

At YWC New York 2026, Liza Matthews was the only girl on Team Africa, and she wore the captain armband. Girls who want to compete on the U10 and U14 boys squads are encouraged to register their interest. Team Nigeria wants to see you on the pitch.

2
Editions in 2027
4
Team Categories
96
Players We Are Sending
50%+
Players from Nigeria

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.

In 2027, Team Nigeria will field squads at two editions of the Youth World Challenge: the USA edition in July for US-based players, and the Brazil edition in August open to Nigerian heritage players anywhere in the world. 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.

Tournament participation is a means, not an end. The enduring objective is to create a credible structure through which Nigerian youth athletes can access opportunities that are organized transparently, delivered professionally, and rooted in service to the player.

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.

Partnership

We work with academies and coaches as development partners, not competitors. We strengthen ecosystems.

Excellence

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

Legacy

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

Tournament Details

Two editions.
One global platform.

The 2027 Youth World Challenge offers two separate editions. ONA Team Nigeria is recruiting for both. The USA edition is the primary track for players based in the United States. The Brazil edition is open to Nigerian heritage players anywhere in the world. Dates do not overlap, so eligible players can participate in both.

USA Edition

YWC USA 2027

US University Campus
Dates July 27 to August 1, 2027
Who It's For Nigerian heritage players based in the United States
Format National teams representing Nigeria, with US-based players
Categories U10, U12, U14 Boys
Travel US-based families only, no international travel required
The USA edition is ONA's primary track for players living in the United States. Register here if your child is based in the US.
Register for USA 2027 →
Brazil Edition

YWC Brazil 2027

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Dates August 10 to 14, 2027
Who It's For Nigerian heritage players anywhere in the world, including Nigeria
Format National teams representing Nigeria, with global diaspora and Nigeria-based players
Categories U10 Boys, U12 Boys, U14 Boys, U12 Girls
ONA's goal is to recruit at least 50% of Team Nigeria Brazil players directly from Nigeria. Nigerian diaspora players from any country are also welcome to register. US-based players can do both editions.
Register for Brazil 2027 →

Get Involved

Is your child Team Nigeria?

We are building Team Nigeria for two editions of the 2027 Youth World Challenge. If your child plays football and carries Nigerian heritage, we want to hear from you. Choose the edition that fits your family, or register for both.

Registering your interest does not guarantee selection. Formal recruitment and selection criteria will be communicated as planning develops. This is an early expression of interest only.

Eligibility

Who can register?

  • Nigerian heritage players of Nigerian descent, whether born in Nigeria or in the diaspora
  • Age eligible U10, U12, or U14 for the 2026-27 season
  • USA Edition: players currently based in the United States
  • Brazil Edition: players based anywhere in the world, including Nigeria and all diaspora countries
  • Can do both: US-based players may register for both USA and Brazil editions. USA roster fills first.
  • Committed to representing Nigeria with pride, discipline, and integrity
  • Family commitment International travel to Brazil requires full family support and preparation
🇺🇸
USA Edition

YWC USA 2027

US University Campus July 27 to August 1, 2027
  • For US-based players only. Your child must currently live in the United States.
  • No international travel required. Families stay in the US for this edition.
  • Categories: U10, U12, U14 Boys
  • US-based players who register here can also register for Brazil separately.
Register for USA 2027 →

Opens in Google Forms. Takes about 5 minutes.

🌍
Brazil Edition

YWC Brazil 2027

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil August 10 to 14, 2027
  • Open to Nigerian heritage players anywhere in the world, including from Nigeria itself and all diaspora countries.
  • International travel to Brazil required for most families.
  • Categories: U10 Boys, U12 Boys, U14 Boys, U12 Girls
  • ONA will recruit at least 50% of players directly from Nigeria for this edition.
Register for Brazil 2027 →

Opens in Google Forms. Takes about 5 minutes.

A note for girls

At YWC New York 2026, Liza Matthews was the only girl on the U10 squad, and she wore the captain armband. Girls who want to compete on the U10 and U14 boys squads are encouraged to register their interest. Team Nigeria wants to see you on the pitch.

Questions? welcome@omonaijaathletes.org

Support the Village

It takes a village to get
48 players to the USA.
And 48 to Brazil.

ONA is building the infrastructure to send a full Team Nigeria delegation to both editions of the 2027 Youth World Challenge. That is 96 young Nigerian players representing their country on an international stage. To make it happen, we need more than a great squad. We need the village.

We are looking for coaches, media, technical staff, volunteers, and sponsors who share the vision and want to be part of something historic.

🏟️

Coaches and Technical Staff

Licensed coaches, fitness trainers, video analysts, and sports science professionals who want to develop the next generation of Nigerian talent on an international platform.

📹

Media and Content

Photographers, videographers, journalists, and content creators who want to document Team Nigeria's journey and help tell this story to the world.

🤝

Volunteers

Dedicated hands who want to support logistics, player welfare, family coordination, and the day-to-day work that makes a delegation run well.

💼

Corporate Sponsors

Businesses and brands that believe in Nigerian youth sports and want to align with a mission-driven organization building something with global reach.

🌍

Community Partners

Academies, clubs, community organizations, and diaspora groups who want to serve as connection points for players and families in their networks.

📣

Advocates and Ambassadors

Voices in the Nigerian football and diaspora communities who want to amplify this mission and help us reach the players and families who need to know about Team Nigeria.

Ready to support
Team Nigeria?

Reach out to us at the email below. When you write, please tell us a little about yourself and what you can offer. The more specific you are, the better we can find the right fit for what you bring.

welcome@omonaijaathletes.org
What to include in your message
  • 01
    What you are reaching out for Are you looking to volunteer, coach, sponsor, cover the story, or something else? Let us know your role.
  • 02
    What you can offer Describe your background, skills, or resources. What would you be bringing to Team Nigeria?
  • 03
    Why it matters to Team Nigeria How do you see your contribution making the delegation stronger? Be as specific as you can.

The Leadership

Led by parents who were there.

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

Bisi Matthews and Dr. Adewale Adesanya at the YWC opening ceremony

Opening Ceremony · YWC New York 2026

Founder and Executive Lead

Bisi Matthews, Esq.

Founder and CEO, Ómó Naija Athletes

A Nigerian-born attorney and executive leadership consultant, youth sports advocate, girls and women empowerment leader and speaker, with a career rooted in accountability, enforcement, and institutional integrity. Former Director of Enforcement at the San Francisco Ethics Commission. Mother of three young athletes, including Liza, co-captain of the U10 group at YWC New York 2026. Bisi leads overall strategy, external representation, and the YWC relationship for Team Nigeria.

Grew up in Lagos, Nigeria · Based in California
Strategic Partner

Dr. Adewale Adesanya, Ph.D.

Strategic Partner, ONA Team Nigeria YWC 2027

An engineer and energy policy strategist, Dr. Adesanya holds a B.Sc. in Industrial and Production Engineering and a Ph.D. in Environmental and Energy Policy from Michigan Technological University. A Nigerian parent and co-leader of the ONA Team Nigeria initiative, he is the father of Jeff Adesanya, co-captain of the U10 group at YWC New York 2026. Dr. Adesanya co-leads program development, player and family coordination, and tournament execution alongside Bisi.

Nigerian heritage · Engineer & Energy Policy Strategist · Co-leader of the YWC 2027 initiative

New York 2026

Where it began.

Before Team Nigeria 2027, there was New York 2026. Here is what the experience looked like for the players and families who were there.

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: the national pride, the international exposure, the experience of representing a country on a world stage. 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, the YWC is expanding, and ONA will be leading Team Nigeria for the 2027 editions in the USA and Brazil.

Bisi and Liza at YWC New York 2026

YWC New York 2026 · Soccer Mom and her Captain

Bisi, Liza, and Dr. Adesanya holding the Nigerian flag at YWC

The Founding Moment · Bisi, Liza, and Dr. Adesanya at YWC New York 2026

Liza Matthews and Jeff Adesanya, U10 co-captains, walking into YWC
YWC New York 2026 · U10 Captains

Two captains.
One dream.

Liza Matthews and Jeff Adesanya walked into the Youth World Challenge as co-captains of the U10 group. They were among several captains across the Team Africa delegation, but their walk together, two Nigerian kids side by side toward the field, is the moment that started everything. Liza was the only girl on Team Africa. She wore the armband anyway.

U10 Co-Captain

Liza Matthews

U10 Co-Captain

Jeff Adesanya

From New York 2026

The journey so far.

Liza and Jeff walking into YWC
U10 Co-Captains · YWC New York 2026

Liza Matthews and Jeff Adesanya heading into the Youth World Challenge

Liza with captain armband at YWC
Captain · YWC New York 2026

Liza wearing the captain armband as she lines up to play

Liza on the YWC main stage
On the Main Stage · YWC New York 2026

Liza representing Nigeria on the Youth World Challenge stage

Bisi and Liza with Nigerian flag at YWC
Naija Proud · YWC New York 2026

Bisi and Liza representing Nigeria at the Youth World Challenge main stage

Team Africa at YWC opening ceremonies
Opening Ceremony · YWC New York 2026

Bisi, Liza, Jeff, and Dr. Adesanya with the Nigerian flag before the opening ceremonies

Liza leading the handshake line at YWC
Respect · YWC New York 2026

Liza leading Team Africa through the pre-game handshake line

Action shot at YWC with Liza in goal and Jeff defending
In Action · YWC New York 2026

Liza and Jeff celebrating after Jeff scored a rebound of Liza's shot that hit the bar

Liza and Jeff shaking hands with Team Portugal
Different Flags. Same Dream.

Liza and Jeff exchanging respect with Team Portugal players after the match

Liza, Jeff, and international players at YWC
The Village · YWC New York 2026

Liza, Jeff, and players from across the world. This is what ONA is building toward.

The village is going to the Youth World Cup.

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 that is making Team Nigeria real.

Join the Village Email ONA Directly