Nigeria draw Brazil, Italy in Group D ahead 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup

Nigeria’s junior men’s national football team, the Flying Eagles have been confirmed to face Brazil and Italy in the FIFA U-20 World Cup set to kick off in Argentina, from May 20.

The draw for the FIFA U-20 World Cup Argentina 2023 took place in Zurich, the capital of Switzerland, Friday, setting the stage for next month’s grand showcase of football’s future legends.

The draws for the competition held, Friday, with the country also confirmed to face European giants Italy and new boys, the Dominican Republic in the Group D, with Nigeria seeded third.

Italy and Brazil are seeded first and second in the same Group D, respectively.

The Flying Eagles, silver and bronze medalists in the tournament will square up to multiple winners, Brazil, the South American giants, in what is expected to be the star match of the competition.

Other African representatives, Senegal are seeded first in Group C alongside, Japan, Israel, Colombia, while Tunisia are last in Group E, with Uruguay as first, Iraq, England, respectively.

The Gambia are seeded third in Group F along with France, South Korea, Honduras, seeded last.

All four African qualifiers emerged at the junior AFCON tournament hosted in Egypt, earlier in the year. All semi-finalists qualify for the World Cup, according to AFCON rules.

Meanwhile, at the draws, Friday, 24 teams were drawn into six groups of four during the draw ceremony, hosted by presenter Samantha Johnson and conducted by FIFA Director of Tournaments, Jaime Yarza.

Speaking prior to the beginning of the draw, FIFA President Gianni Infantino, said: “Dear football fans, dear friends, queridos amigos, it gives me great, great pleasure to address you before the Draw for the FIFA U-20 World Cup Argentina 2023, the 23rd edition of this wonderful tournament, which gives us a glimpse of the stars of the future

“Congratulations to all 23 teams who have qualified. And thank you to Argentina and particularly the Argentinian Football Association and its President, Chiqui Tapia, as well as the governmental authorities for staging this fantastic event. Muchas gracias, Argentina!”

FIFA Legends Juan Pablo Sorin (Argentina) and David Trezeguet (France) were on hand to assist with the ceremony.

The FIFA U-20 World Cup 2023 will take place across four cities: La Plata, Mendoza, San Juan and Santiago del Estero.

The tournament will open on 20 May 20 with four matches on the opening day in San Juan and Santiago del Estero, including hosts Argentina taking on Uzbekistan in Santiago del Estero Stadium.

Both cities will also play host to the quarter-final, while La Plata Stadium will host the semi-finals, play-off for third place and the final.

Argentina were confirmed as new hosts of the tournament after FIFA withdrew the hosting rights of Indonesia following a dispute over the participation of Israel.

According to match schedule released, the tournament hosts Argentina to open campaign against Uzbekistan, May 20.

The full list of pairings:

Group A: Argentina, Uzbekhistan, Guatemala, New Zealand

Group B: USA, Ecuador, Fiji, Slovakia

Group C: Senegal, Japan, Israel, Colombia

Group D: Italy, Brazil, Nigeria, Dominican Republic

Group E: Uruguay, Iraq, England, Tunisia

Group F: France, Korea Republic, The Gambia, Honduras