Nigeria will defend their Unity Cup title against India, Jamaica and Zimbabwe when the 2026 edition of the tournament takes place in London from May 26 to 30.
The Nigeria Football Federation confirmed on Thursday that the Super Eagles will return as defending champions for the four-nation competition, having lifted the previous edition after defeating Jamaica 5-4 on penalties following a 2-2 draw at the Brentford Community Stadium.
The Unity Cup, now in its fourth edition, will again bring together nations with strong diaspora communities in the United Kingdom, with Nigeria and Jamaica expected to be among the leading contenders based on their rankings and pedigree.
Nigeria are currently among the highest-ranked teams in the competition, alongside Jamaica, while Zimbabwe and India complete the line-up.
According to India Times, India’s participation marks a significant milestone, as it will be their first appearance in the Unity Cup.
The Asian side have not toured England in over two decades, with their last notable visit coming in 2002 when Bhaichung Bhutia captained the team in matches that included a fixture against Jamaica.
Their inclusion is expected to attract considerable support from the large Indian community in the United Kingdom.
The All India Football Federation confirmed the invitation, noting that Nigeria and Jamaica would be the standout teams in the competition.
The Unity Cup will follow a knockout format, with semi-final winners advancing to the final and the losing teams contesting the third-place match.