2023 Fifa U17 World Cup: Nwaneri inherits England shirt number worn by Chelsea star Conor Gallagher

All twenty four participating nations have confirmed their squad lists and jersey numbers for the FIFA U17 World Cup which begins in Indonesia on November 10.

Two Nigeria-eligible players in the shape of Arsenal attacking midfielder Ethan Nwaneri and Manchester City striker Justin Oboavwoduo are part of the Young Lions squad for the 2023 Fifa U17 World Cup.

Nwaneri has inherited England's number 20 shirt last worn by Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher in India 2017, while Oboavwoduo has been assigned number 9.

This is the fifth time England will be competing at the Fifa U17 World Cup and with the exception of the 2011 edition hosted by Mexico, at least one player of Nigerian descent has been named on their rosters. 

2013 Africa Cup of Nations winner Victor Moses was the first Nigerian-born player to represent England at the Fifa U17 World Cup, in 2007, followed by another player with a Chelsea connection, Ike Ugbo (2015) and Tottenham Hotspur-reared defender Timothy Eyoma (2017). 

England will start the 2023 Fifa U17 World Cup against New Caledonia on Saturday, 11 November before facing Iran on November 14 and wrap up group play against South American powerhouse Brazil on November 17.

Nwaneri and Oboavwoduo wil be hoping to follow in the footsteps of Eyoma who won the World Cup with the Young Lions six years ago.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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