Who is the Flying Eagles player to watch in World Cup opener v Norway? Fifa gives verdict

Nigeria's Flying Eagles will begin their Fifa U20 World Cup campaign on Monday night with a Group F clash against Norway at the Estadio Fiscal in Talca, with kickoff scheduled for 21:00 Nigerian time.

In its official tournament preview, world football's governing body Fifa has spotlighted the key players to watch from both sides.

While Molde midfielder Sondre Granaas has been tipped as Norway's standout performer, Fifa has identified Daniel Bameyi as Nigeria’s driving force.

On Bameyi, Fifa wrote on its official website: "Central defender Bameyi, who is still 19 but already has three senior caps, is preparing for his second U-20 World Cup after leading the Flying Eagles to the quarter-finals at Argentina 2023."

Bameyi has built a reputation as a reliable leader at youth level, having played every minute of Nigeria's matches at the 2023 Fifa U20 World Cup and the recent U20 Africa Cup of Nations, wearing the captain's armband. 

With more than 20 caps for the Flying Eagles, he brings invaluable experience and stability to the heart of defence.

Bameyi made his Super Eagles debut at just 16, featuring in an international friendly against Costa Rica in November 2022.

He was also named on the bench for successive Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Guinea-Bissau in 2023.

Norway, who booked their place at the tournament in Chile by finishing fifth at the 2024 UEFA U19 Championship, are one of five European representatives in this year's finals.

Nigeria qualified courtesy of their third-place finish at the 2025 Africa U20 Cup of Nations.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

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