According to a report by OwnGoalNigeria on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, Nigeria’s hopes of qualifying for the 2027 FIFA U-20 World Cup have received a major boost following reports that the Confederation of African Football (CAF) is considering including the Flying Eagles in the 2027 Africa U-20 Cup of Nations after Ghana reportedly lost its hosting rights.

The latest development could give Nigeria another opportunity to participate in the continental competition after failing to secure qualification through the initial process.

CAF has reportedly directed the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to keep the Flying Eagles on standby as the governing body considers their possible inclusion in the tournament.

Nigeria had initially missed out on qualification after losing 4-1 to Burkina Faso in the final of the 2026 WAFU Zone B U-20 Championship.

The defeat secured Burkina Faso the region’s automatic qualification ticket, while Ghana were expected to occupy the second slot by virtue of being the designated hosts of the 2027 tournament.

However, Ghana’s reported inability to satisfy CAF’s hosting requirements has thrown the arrangement into uncertainty, prompting the continental football governing body to consider appointing another country to stage the competition.

With Nigeria finishing second behind Burkina Faso in the WAFU Zone B tournament, the Flying Eagles could benefit from the situation by taking the place originally allocated to Ghana as hosts.

The 2027 Africa U-20 Cup of Nations will be particularly significant for Nigeria because the tournament will also determine Africa’s representatives at the 2027 FIFA U-20 World Cup.

CAF’s qualification format provides that the four teams reaching the semi-finals of the continental competition will secure tickets to the global tournament.

Consequently, Nigeria’s possible inclusion would give the seven-time African champions another opportunity to challenge for continental glory while keeping their ambitions of returning to the FIFA U-20 World Cup alive.

The Flying Eagles have previously reached the final of the global competition twice, finishing as runners-up in 1989 and 2005.