Nigeria’s Flamingos made history at the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco, defeating Japan 2-1 in the final to become the first African national team to win a FIFA women’s world title.
The victory in Rabat marked a major achievement for Nigerian football and African women’s football, with the Flamingos completing a remarkable tournament campaign under head coach Akeem Busari. After losing their opening match, Nigeria recovered to win six consecutive games and finish the competition as world champions.
The team’s success was built on contributions from across the squad. Eight different players scored during Nigeria’s seven matches at the finals, while the team registered more than 100 goal attempts. Midfielder Oluebube Umejiaku was among the standout performers, earning the FIFA Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player. She also received Player of the Match recognition in the final.
Nigeria’s journey to the title began in the African qualifying rounds, where the team established its strength over two home-and-away ties. The Flamingos entered the competition in the second qualifying round and opened with a commanding 5-0 away victory over Guinea. Captain Harmony Chidi scored a first-half hat-trick, while Oluwakemi Adegbuyi and Mary Dunstan added the other goals.
Nigeria continued its strong form in the return leg in Ogun State, winning 7-0 to complete a 12-0 aggregate victory. The team then faced Liberia in the final qualifying round, securing a 4-1 away win in Monrovia. Chidi scored twice, with Shakirat Moshood and Peace Effiong also finding the net. A 2-0 victory in the second leg completed the job and confirmed Nigeria’s place at the tournament in Morocco. Chidi finished the qualifying campaign with 12 goals.
The World Cup group stage presented a tougher challenge. Drawn in Group B alongside Poland, Puerto Rico and defending champions DPR Korea, Nigeria faced three different tests as it pursued a place in the knockout rounds.
The Flamingos began with a 2-1 defeat against Poland in Rabat, leaving them under pressure to collect points from their remaining matches. They responded with a 2-0 win over Puerto Rico before producing one of their most important performances of the tournament against DPR Korea.
Nigeria defeated the two-time defending champions 3-1 in their final group fixture. Goals from Oluwakemi Adegbuyi, Oluebube Umejiaku and Kanyinsola Yusuf secured the victory and ended DPR Korea’s long unbeaten regulation-time run at the U-17 Women’s World Cup. The result also helped Nigeria finish top of Group B on head-to-head tiebreakers.
The Flamingos carried that momentum into the knockout stage, where they faced opponents from different football confederations. Their Round of 16 match against Mexico ended in a 2-1 victory, with Umejiaku and Mary Dunstan scoring to take Nigeria into the quarter-finals.
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The meeting with Venezuela proved considerably more difficult. Neither side managed to score during regular play, but Nigeria found a breakthrough in the 89th minute when Umejiaku won a penalty. Substitute defender Azeezat Oduntan converted the spot kick, securing a narrow victory and sending the Flamingos into the semi-finals.
Brazil stood between Nigeria and a place in the final. The South American side was unable to contain the Flamingos, who took the lead in the 56th minute through Queen Joseph. Awawu Bashiru then scored twice, finding the net in the 71st and 80th minutes to complete a 3-1 win and book Nigeria’s place in the championship match.
Japan provided the final challenge at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Rabat. Nigeria took control in the 39th minute when Awawu Bashiru scored with a long-range effort. The Flamingos extended their advantage just two minutes into the second half through Umejiaku, putting them in a strong position to claim the title.
Japan reduced the deficit in the 80th minute through Fuki Ito, creating a tense finish. Nigeria, however, held on through the remaining minutes and stoppage time to secure a 2-1 victory.
The final whistle confirmed a historic achievement. Nigeria had not only won the U-17 women’s title but also become the first African nation to lift a FIFA women’s international trophy, marking a significant milestone for the continent’s presence in women’s football.
