Nigeria’s Flamingos have been crowned champions of the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup after defeating Japan 2-1 in Saturday’s final in Morocco, becoming the first African country to win the tournament.
The Nigerian youngsters produced an impressive performance at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Rabat to secure their maiden title, completing a remarkable comeback after losing their opening match of the competition.
Awawu Bashiru opened the scoring for Nigeria in the 39th minute with a long-range effort that caught the Japanese goalkeeper off guard, giving the Flamingos a 1-0 lead before the break.
Nigeria doubled their advantage just two minutes into the second half when Oluebube Umejiaku found the net in the 47th minute to put the West African side firmly in control of the encounter.
Japan fought back and reduced the deficit through Fuki Ito in the 80th minute, setting up a tense finish as the Asian side pushed for an equaliser.
However, the Flamingos held on through the closing stages to secure a historic 2-1 victory and lift the trophy for the first time in the country’s history.
The triumph marks a significant milestone for African women’s football, as Nigeria becomes the first African nation to win the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
The victory also completes an extraordinary turnaround for the Flamingos, who recovered from their opening-day 2-1 defeat to Poland to record six consecutive victories against Puerto Rico, defending champions Korea DPR, Mexico, Venezuela, Brazil and Japan.
Nigeria’s journey to the final included an impressive 3-1 victory over Brazil in the semi-finals, with Queen Joseph scoring once and Bashiru netting twice to secure the country’s first appearance in the competition’s final.
Japan, who defeated defending champions Korea DPR in a penalty shootout in the semi-finals, settled for second place after the defeat.
Korea DPR claimed the bronze medal after defeating Brazil 6-0 in the third-place playoff, leaving the South American side in fourth position.
Nigeria’s historic triumph represents the country’s first title at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup and a landmark achievement for the continent, which had never previously won the competition.
