1xCup produces stars as organisers unveil bigger talent pathway for 2026 tournament

Organisers of Nigeria’s leading grassroots football competition, 1xCup, have unveiled an ambitious roadmap for the 2026 edition, positioning the tournament not merely as a football championship but as a professional talent pipeline after revealing that several former participants have already secured careers in Nigeria and abroad.

At the launch of the fourth edition of the competition in Lagos on Friday, organisers announced that 100 grassroots clubs will compete for a ₦20 million prize package, while introducing a comprehensive player development programme aimed at giving more young footballers direct access to professional clubs through structured scouting, player profiling, live streaming and performance analysis.

General Manager of 1xCup, Adedapo Dimeji, said the competition has matured into one of Nigeria’s most effective grassroots football platforms since it was launched in 2023.

According to him, more than 180 clubs and over 5,000 players have participated in previous editions, with several players now earning opportunities in professional football across Nigeria, Africa and Europe.

“The tournament is not only about winning trophies. It is about creating opportunities,” Dimeji said.

“Our vision is to provide talented young footballers with a professionally organised competition where they can showcase their abilities before scouts, clubs, football administrators and fans. We remain committed to creating a pathway from grassroots football to the professional game.”

He disclosed that this year’s competition will feature 100 clubs drawn from the five traditional football divisions of Lagos—Agege, Lagos Island, Badagry, Ikorodu and Epe—with organisers promising the most professionally organised edition yet.

Beyond the ₦20 million prize pool, Dimeji said the tournament will feature improved media coverage, enhanced match organisation, individual awards and a significantly expanded scouting programme.

From grassroots to professional football

One of the strongest indicators of the competition’s growing influence, Dimeji noted, is the number of players who have progressed into professional football after participating in previous editions.

Among those he mentioned were Kayode Akinyemi of Dosu FC, Okechukwu of FC Bethel, who earned a move to Egypt after emerging as the tournament’s highest goalscorer, Caleb Okereke, Clinton Lawani, Peter Ayisu and several others currently playing professionally or undergoing trials.

He also recalled the recently concluded Unity Cup in London, where two former 1xCup players represented Nigeria and helped the national team lift the trophy.

“These achievements reassure us that 1xCup is truly serving as a platform for discovering and developing football talent,” Dimeji said.

To strengthen that pathway further, organisers announced that every player participating in the 2026 edition will, for the first time, receive an individual digital profile complete with performance data and highlight videos.

According to Dimeji, dedicated technical assessment teams will monitor every match, while accredited scouts will have access to weeks of performance reports before making recruitment decisions.

“Our objective is not simply to discover one or two outstanding players. We want to create opportunities for as many deserving young footballers as possible.”

Outstanding performers will also receive Player of the Week awards throughout the competition.

Nearly 800 teams chased 100 places

Former Super Eagles defender and 1xCup Technical Director, Waidi Akanni, disclosed that the competition attracted unprecedented interest this year.

According to him, nearly 800 clubs applied, but only 100 teams met the competition’s eligibility requirements after a rigorous screening process.

“Every team went through a rigorous screening and verification process to ensure fairness and professionalism before the final selections were made,” he said.

The successful teams comprise 24 clubs from Agege, 24 from Lagos Island, 20 each from Badagry and Ikorodu, and 12 from Epe.

Akanni explained that Epe received fewer slots because of consistently lower registration numbers over the years.

The tournament will be played over 38 matchdays, beginning with qualifying rounds before progressing to group-stage and knockout fixtures.

Twenty-four teams will qualify for the group stage, where they will be divided into six groups of four. The top two teams from each group, alongside the four best third-placed teams, will advance to the Round of 16 before the competition adopts a straight knockout format.

Professional players excluded

Organisers also confirmed new eligibility rules designed to preserve the tournament’s grassroots identity.

Akanni said active professional footballers will no longer be eligible to participate, adding that every registered player will undergo a detailed verification process.

Each club will register 25 players, while teams will also be allowed to include up to five players between the ages of 16 and 18 as part of a youth development initiative.

According to him, only exceptional cases involving players currently unattached to professional clubs will be considered individually.

Women’s tournament in the works

Although 1xCup has traditionally been a men’s competition, organisers revealed that discussions are already underway regarding the introduction of a women’s edition.

Head of Operations, Mr. Abiodun Babalola, said consultations with stakeholders in grassroots women’s football had already begun.

“Women’s football is definitely part of our long-term vision. We want to build it properly and ensure it meets the same high standards that 1xCup has established.”

Beyond Lagos

Perhaps the biggest announcement at the launch was the organisers’ confirmation that 1xCup is preparing to expand beyond Lagos.

Dimeji said the tournament has already attracted clubs from states outside Lagos in previous editions, demonstrating nationwide demand.

“Lagos alone is not Nigeria,” he said.

He revealed that discussions are ongoing with stakeholders in two South-East states and one Middle Belt state, while engagements have also begun with the National Sports Commission and the Nigeria Football Federation to support nationwide expansion.

The long-term ambition, he added, is to transform 1xCup into a continental grassroots championship.

A similar competition is already operating in Kenya under the name Waziri Cup, creating opportunities for future collaboration across Africa.

“Our vision is to take 1xCup across Nigeria and eventually across Africa, where champions from different countries can compete against one another. We believe we will achieve that goal step by step.”

The 2026 edition of 1xCup kicks off on July 23, with 1XBET promising a tournament that not only crowns champions but also opens doors for the next generation of Nigerian football stars.