Nigeria’s Flamingos have become the first African team to reach the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup final after a remarkable run at the 2026 tournament in Morocco.

They will face Japan in Rabat on Saturday, 7 November 2026, with the chance to win the competition for the first time.

Nigeria’s campaign began with a 2-1 defeat by Poland in Group B, but they recovered with a 2-0 victory over Puerto Rico before producing one of the group stage’s biggest results.

The Flamingos defeated defending champions North Korea 3-1, with Oluwakemi Adegbuyi, Oluebube Umejiaku and Kanyinsola Yusuf scoring to end the Koreans’ unbeaten run and secure Nigeria’s place in the last 16.

Their form continued in the knockout stages. Mexico were beaten 2-1 before captain Azeezat Oduntan converted an 89th-minute penalty to earn a tense 1-0 quarter-final victory over Venezuela.

Nigeria then delivered their strongest performance of the tournament in the semi-finals, beating Brazil 3-1.

Queen Joseph opened the scoring in the 56th minute, while Awawu Bashiru added two further goals in the 71st and 80th minutes. The result secured Nigeria’s first appearance in a FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup final.

Five different Flamingos players have won Player of the Match awards during the team’s six-game run: Adegbuyi, Kanyinsola Yusuf, Umejiaku, Favour Nkwocha and Bashiru.

Bashiru’s two goals against Brazil came on her first start of the tournament and highlighted the strength available to coach Akeem Busari. Adegbuyi has provided early goals and leadership, Joseph has been clinical in front of goal, while Oduntan has impressed with her composure in pressured moments.

Busari said Nigeria must reproduce the character shown in their group-stage win over North Korea when they meet Japan.

“It’s just about showing the same character and playing the same way we played against North Korea, because they play with the same philosophy,” he said.

“They want to build the ball, they look at the high line of passes, they want their full-backs to support, so we really want to look at all that. We just really want to pick up the trophy.”

The coach added that although winning a medal would be significant, Nigeria’s main objective was the title.

“the trophy is the major thing our country wants. We want it as well. We just need to fight... put the icing on the cake and finish the job because the job is not yet done.”

President Bola Tinubu has congratulated the squad and encouraged them to make history.

Previous Flamingos teams reached the semi-finals and won bronze in 2022. This side has gone further, recording five successive victories after their opening defeat, including wins over the defending champions and Brazil.

Victory over Japan would complete a landmark campaign and deliver Nigeria their first FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup title.