2025 Fifa U17 World Cup: Future Arsenal player among three Nigerians named in Ireland squad

The Football Association of Ireland has this week confirmed the Republic of Ireland U17 squad for the upcoming 2025 Fifa U17 World Cup in Qatar, with manager Colin O’Brien including three teenagers of Nigerian descent in his 21-man selection, allnigeriasoccer.com reports.

The squad is headlined by Shamrock Rovers sensation Victor Ozhianvuna, who has already agreed to join Arsenal upon turning 18 in January 2027.

Ozhianvuna returns to the U17 setup after missing the recent warm-up matches in Pinatar.

Joining him in the squad are FC Lorient left-back Ade Solanke and University College Dublin midfielder Goodness Ogbonna.

The trio had all been promoted to the Ireland U18s earlier in 2025 but remain age-eligible for the U17 World Cup.

Ozhianvuna, Solanke, and Ogbonna are all provisionally cap-tied to the Republic of Ireland, having featured in competitive fixtures for the U17 side.

Making their first-ever appearance at the Fifa U17 World Cup, Ireland have been drawn in Group J alongside Panama, Uzbekistan, and Paraguay.

In their opening fixture on Wednesday, November 5, the Young Boys in Green will take on Panama, before facing Asian opposition Uzbekistan on Saturday, November 8.

They will round off their group stage campaign against Paraguay on Tuesday, November 11.

Africa's representatives at the 2025 Fifa U17 World Cup are Burkina Faso, Mali, Morocco, South Africa, Zambia, Ivory Coast, Senegal, Tunisia, Egypt, and Uganda.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

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