Enugu Rangers will fly Nigeria’s flag within the opening match of the 76th version of the Viareggio Cup when the Flying Antelopes’ youth crew faces Italian aspect Fiorentina U18 on Monday, March 9, 2026.
The match which is without doubt one of the world’s most prestigious youth soccer tournaments will run from March 9 to March 23 in Italy.
It has lengthy served as a world showcase for rising soccer abilities, attracting elite youth academies and growth squads and tip scouts around the globe.
Nigeria heads into this 12 months’s competitors with a robust illustration of eight groups, underlining the rising repute of the nation’s youth soccer system on the worldwide stage.
The curtain-raiser between Enugu Rangers and Fiorentina is scheduled for two:30 PM native time and is predicted to offer an early take a look at for the Nigerian aspect in opposition to one in every of Italy’s established youth setups.
A complete of 5 Nigerian groups will start their campaigns on the opening day of the competitors.
Along with the Enugu Rangers versus Fiorentina conflict, One Contact Abuja will face hosts Viareggio Calcio, Nexus Soccer Academy will tackle Serie A aspect Sassuolo, RBM Sports activities will battle UYSS New York, whereas Mavlon FC will sq. off in opposition to Genoa.
The remaining Nigerian representatives will begin their participation on Tuesday, March 10.
Magic Stars are scheduled to face Spezia, Ojodu Metropolis will tackle Serbian giants Pink Star Belgrade, whereas FuturePro Soccer will battle the Serie D Consultant crew.
Nigeria’s sturdy presence within the 2026 version displays the continued progress and recognition of its youth growth constructions as traders are decided to offer their finest abilities the very best publicity the sport might supply.
Nigerian academies have more and more produced gamers able to competing with high youth groups worldwide.
Confidence among the many Nigerian contingents can be buoyed by the historic achievement recorded in 2024, when Past Limits Academy—affiliated with Remo Stars—turned the primary African crew to win the Viareggio Cup in 2024.
That landmark triumph elevated the worldwide profile of Nigerian youth membership soccer, and with eight groups competing on this 12 months’s version, expectations are excessive that the nation might as soon as once more go away a big mark on the match.
As motion begins within the Italian metropolis of Viareggio, consideration will concentrate on the subsequent era of Nigerian abilities hoping to grab the second and probably write one other memorable chapter within the nation’s wealthy youth soccer story.
Nigerian Groups – Opening Day Fixtures (Monday, March 9) – At a Look
ACF Fiorentina vs Enugu Rangers — 2:30 PM
Viareggio Calcio vs One Contact Abuja — 2:30 PM
US Sassuolo vs Nexus Soccer Academy — 2:30 PM
UYSS New York vs RBM Sports activities — 2:30 PM
Genoa CFC vs Mavlon FC — 3:00 PM
Tuesday, March 10 Fixtures
Magic Stars vs Spezia FC — 11:00 AM
Ojodu Metropolis vs Pink Star Belgrade — 2:40 PM
FuturePro Soccer vs Serie D Consultant — 5:00 PM
