Organiser of the Viareggio Cup have officially confirmed the participation of eight Nigerian teams in the 76th edition of the prestigious youth football tournament, scheduled to run from March 9 to March 23, 2026, in Italy.
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The announcement underscores Nigeria’s growing influence in global youth football and reflects sustained investment in grassroots development across the country.
The Nigerian representatives will compete against elite academy sides from Europe, the Americas, and Africa, offering a valuable international platform for emerging talents to showcase their abilities.
Widely regarded as one of the world’s most respected youth football tournaments, the Viareggio Cup has long served as a launchpad for players who later progressed to top-level professional careers.
Nigeria’s strong presence at the 2026 edition further highlights the international recognition of its football development system.
Groupings at a Glance
Group A
Girone 1
Genoa (Italy)
Mavlon (Nigeria)
Vllaznia (Albania)
AS Police Football (Burkina Faso)
Girone 2
Fiorentina (Italy)
Rangers Youth, Enugu (Nigeria)
Viareggio (Italy)
One Touch (Nigeria)
Girone 3
Sassuolo (Italy)
Nexus Football Academy (Nigeria)
UYSS New York (USA)
RBM Sports (Nigeria)
Group B
Girone 4
Rappresentativa Serie D (Italy)
FuturePro Soccer (Nigeria)
Athletic Palermo (Italy)
Academy Potey Keahson (Côte d’Ivoire)
Girone 5
Spezia (Italy)
Magic Stars (Nigeria)
Westchester United (USA)
Koforidua (Ghana)
Girone 6
Stella Rossa (Serbia)
Ojodu City (Nigeria)
Rijeka (Croatia)
Olympique Thiessois (Senegal)
Further details, including full fixtures and match venues, are expected to be released by the organisers in the build-up to the tournament kickoff.
