Victor Osimhen’s U17 World Cup Record Under Threat in Qatar

Victor Osimhen’s long-standing record at the FIFA U17 World Cup is now in danger as the 2025 tournament in Qatar nears its end.

The Nigerian striker set the record in 2015 when he scored ten goals to help the Golden Eaglets win the title in Chile. No player has matched that tally in the ten years since, and his achievement has remained one of the most celebrated moments in the history of the competition.

However, Austria’s Johannes Moser has moved close to the mark. The 17-year-old has scored eight goals so far, including both goals in Austria’s 2–0 semi-final win over Italy. If he scores twice in the final against Portugal, he will equal Osimhen’s record. A hat-trick would see him break it.

Portugal also have a player in the race. Young forward Anísio Cabral has six goals and could still challenge if the final becomes an open, high-scoring match. Portugal reached the final after beating Brazil on penalties.

While the race for the Golden Boot intensifies, Nigeria are not part of the tournament. The Golden Eaglets, the most successful team in U17 World Cup history, failed to qualify this year. Africa’s best performers, Morocco and Burkina Faso, were both eliminated in the quarter-finals.

All eyes will now be on the final, where Osimhen’s record—untouched for a decade—faces its biggest threat yet.