Warner concluded his final inspection tour, which finalised the eight venues to be used for the tournament, which is due to begin on October 24 and conclude with the final on November 15.

 

He said: “I was pleased with the venues’ significant progress since my last visit in May.

 

"They all now meet the basic stadium infrastructure requirements of FIFA.

 

"However, what impressed me even more than the infrastructural improvements were the passion and the commitment the people of Nigeria have shown.

‘’The legacy, which was created will last far beyond the upcoming tournament. I am therefore proud to say that Nigeria is ready to host the FIFA under-17 World Cup.”

 

FIFA's last inspection in May produced a yellow card for Nigeria, after the world governing body noted a significant delay in the preparations for the tournament.

FIFA subsequently gave Nigeria more time to get the facilities ready.

 

The venues chosen are Abuja, Bauchi, Calabar, Enugu, Ijebu-Ode, Kaduna, Kano and Lagos, with Warri, a major oil city in Delta State, missing out, mainly because of the state of the pitch at the proposed stadium.

 

Warner said: ‘’FIFA cannot approve a venue in which one of the most critical elements, the main pitch in the stadium, is in an extremely poor state at the time of the final inspection.

 

‘’A few of the [other] venues are still going to need additional works, no doubt, but FIFA has approved and has agreed to monitor these little touches over the next few days.’’