It is April 2023, and New Caledonia’s U-16s are in France for the Montaigu Tournament. Heading to training one day, their bus driver, who had been assigned to the Brazil delegation at the previous edition, is in talkative mood. Time and time again, he mentions one name: that of Endrick. Listening in the rear and lapping up the tales of the young Brazilian’s exploits is Nolhann Alebate, who back then could only dream of one day rubbing shoulders with the rising A Seleção star.

Five months later, with the draw for the FIFA U-17 World Cup Indonesia 2023 complete, New Caledonia find themselves in Group C alongside Brazil. Six years after their maiden appearance in the competition, when they faced European heavyweights France among others, the Oceania side hit the jackpot. And while Endrick is unlikely to be in Indonesia, that matters little to Alebate. “It’s Brazil, so the next Neymar could be in their side,” he said excitedly in an exclusive interview with FIFA.

Regardless of the Brazil XI he will face on 14 November, the young striker feels content and proud to be able to take part in the tournament. “Playing in a World Cup at 17 is a childhood dream,” he says. “Our older ‘brothers’ already did it at the U-17 World Cup in 2017, so we’re the only age group from New Caledonia to have qualified for a World Cup. The senior team, both men’s and women’s, have never managed it, and nor have the U-19s.”