Nigeria’s Oluebube Umejiaku has been named the best player of the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup after helping the Flamingos win their maiden title in the competition.

The 16-year-old forward won the Golden Ball award following her impressive performances at the tournament, where she scored three goals and provided two assists.

Umejiaku also scored Nigeria’s second goal in their 2-1 victory over Japan in Saturday’s final at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Morocco.

She played a key role in the Flamingos’ campaign, contributing to goals in all seven of Nigeria’s matches as the team recovered from an opening defeat to Poland to win the tournament.

Her contributions included goals against Poland, DPR Korea and Mexico, while she also provided assists against Puerto Rico and Brazil. She additionally won a penalty in Nigeria’s quarter-final victory over Venezuela.

The Golden Ball recognition capped a remarkable tournament for the forward, who plays for Heartland Queens.

The Flamingos defeated Japan 2-1 in the final, with Awawu Bashiru opening the scoring in the 39th minute before Umejiaku doubled Nigeria’s lead in the 47th minute. Japan pulled one back through Fuki Ito in the 80th minute.

Nigeria thereby became the first African country to win the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup and the first to claim titles in both the men’s and women’s U-17 categories.

Meanwhile, United States forward Maddie DiMaria won the Golden Boot after finishing as the tournament’s leading scorer with 12 goals.