By Gideon Maxwell
November 8, 2026
Nigeria’s Under-17 women’s national football team, the Flamingos, etched their names into global sporting history on Saturday night after defeating Japan 2–1 in the final of the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
Played under the floodlights of the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Rabat, the victory makes Nigeria the first African nation to win a FIFA women’s world title at any age level since the tournament began in 2008.
Having previously settled for a bronze medal in 2022, the Flamingos finally climbed to the summit of world youth football, sparking wild celebrations on the pitch in Morocco and across Nigeria.
How the final unfolded
Facing a disciplined Japanese side appearing in its fourth U-17 Women’s World Cup final, Head Coach Akeem Busari’s squad matched technical precision with relentless pressing and clinical transitions.
First-half breakthrough: Midfielder Awawu Bashiru gave Nigeria a deserved lead in the 39th minute, finishing a brisk attacking move to send the Flamingos into the break ahead.
Doubling the advantage: Just two minutes into the second half, Oluebube Umejiaku doubled Nigeria’s cushion in the 47th minute, capitalising on a clever build-up initiated by Esther Stephen to beat Japanese goalkeeper Kadowaki.
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Surviving a tense finale: Japan refused to yield and halved the deficit in the 80th minute when substitute Anri Ito nodded a corner into the path of Fuki Ito, who volleyed home. Despite sustained Japanese pressure through five minutes of stoppage time, Nigeria’s defence, anchored by goalkeeper Jane Ijirigho, held firm until the final whistle blew.
Road to the trophy: From opening setback to world champions
Nigeria’s triumph completes one of the most remarkable turnarounds in the competition’s history. Arriving in North Africa as champions of the 2026 WAFU-B U-17 Girls Cup, the Flamingos suffered a shocking 2–1 defeat to Poland in their Group B opener.
Rather than unravel, Busari’s side became the first team ever to win the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup after losing its opening fixture, stringing together six consecutive victories against elite opposition:
Records broken and individual honours
At the post-match presentation ceremony, attended by FIFA President Gianni Infantino and CAF President Patrice Motsepe, the Flamingos collected their gold medals alongside several historic distinctions:
Continental Breakthrough: Nigeria ended an 18-year wait for an African nation to reach the final or lift the trophy at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
Exclusive Dual Champions: Nigeria joined France as the only two countries in football history to have won both the men’s and women’s FIFA U-17 World Cups.
Collective Firepower: Eight different Nigerian players found the net across the seven matches in Morocco, highlighting the tactical depth of the squad.
adidas Golden Ball: Forward Oluebube Umejiaku, who registered a goal or an assist in every match she played and was named Player of the Match in the final, claimed the adidas Golden Ball as the tournament’s Most Valuable Player.
Speaking moments after lifting the trophy, players and officials dedicated the historic triumph to supporters back home, celebrating a night in Rabat that has permanently altered the landscape of African women’s football.
