Flying Eagles head coach, Aliyu Zubairu, has expressed concern over the reluctance of some European clubs to release Nigeria’s invited players as preparations for the FIFA U20 World Cup Chile 2025 intensify.
Speaking from the Abuja camp of the team, on the preparation and progress, Zubairu said the squad is currently in the third and final phase of preparations, but the absence of key foreign-based players remains a major challenge.
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“We have been able to get our best players, both here and abroad, invited to intensify our preparations,” he told Sports247.
” Though some abroad-based players are not here yet as the clubs are foot-dragging on releasing them,” the coach stated.
Despite the setback, Zubairu remains optimistic about Nigeria’s chances of lifting the elusive U20 World Cup trophy, having finished as runners-up in 1989 and 2005.
“We will continue to work with the players on ground and bring out our best.”
On winning the FIFA World Cup, the coach said: ” I believe we can do it. If we are able to get all our invited players from abroad on time, I believe we can win it.”
” But it’s a big battle trying to get those players released,” Zubairu added.
Nigeria has been drawn in Group F alongside Colombia, Norway, and Saudi Arabia.
The 24-team tournament is scheduled to run from September 27 to October 19, 2025, across four host cities: Santiago, Rancagua, Talca, and Valparaiso.
The format of the competition will see the top two teams from each group, along with the four best third-placed sides, advance to the knockout stage.
With five FIFA U17 World Cup titles won by Nigeria Golden Eaglets, the Flying Eagles are aiming to replicate that success at the U20 level by winning the global youth championship for the first time in history.
