Nigeria’s under-17 women’s national team, the Flamingos, will chase history on Saturday when they take on Japan in the final of the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Rabat, Morocco. The match will kick off at 7:30 PM Nigerian time on Pitch 3 of the Mohammed VI Football Complex.
If Nigeria win, they will become the first African team to lift the trophy. According to Punch, a victory would also make Nigeria the first African nation to win the FIFA World Cup in both the men’s and women’s under-17 categories. Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets have previously won the men's tournament multiple times.
The Flamingos reached their maiden final following an outstanding recovery in the tournament. After starting with a 2-1 defeat to Poland, they bounced back with a 2-0 win over Puerto Rico before stunning holders Korea DPR 3-1. In the knockout phase, the Nigerian girls defeated Mexico 2-1 in the round of 16 and edged Venezuela 1-0 in the quarter-finals through an 89th-minute penalty by Azeezat Oduntan.
In the semi-finals, Nigeria outclassed Brazil 3-1, unleashing 30 shots on goal. Queen Joseph gave Nigeria the lead before Awawu Bashiru netted a brace. The Flamingos have scored 12 goals so far across the tournament, with Oluebube Umejiaku leading the tally with three, followed by Bashiru and Oluwakemi Adegbuyi on two each.
Japan, who won the tournament in 2014 and finished as runners-up in 2010 and 2016, reached the final after a 1-1 draw with Korea DPR in the semi-finals, prevailing 4-1 in a penalty shootout. This marks the first time Nigeria and Japan will face each other in the history of the competition.
Flamingos head coach Akeem Busari praised his team's mental resilience after the rocky start to the competition. He urged the players to maintain the attitude they displayed in earlier rounds, saying the squad is determined to cross the finish line and bring the trophy home.
Top sports officials, including FIFA President Gianni Infantino, CAF President Patrice Motsepe, and National Sports Commission Chairman Shehu Dikko, are scheduled to attend the historic final in Morocco.
