Nigeria Make History, Become First African U-17 Women’s World Cup Champions

Nigeria’s U-17 women’s national team, the Flamingos, have been crowned world champions after defeating Japan 2-1 in the final of the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco.

The historic victory marks Nigeria’s first-ever triumph in the U-17 Women’s World Cup and makes the country the first African nation to win the competition.

The Flamingos produced an impressive performance against their Japanese opponents to secure the title, capping a remarkable campaign that has brought Nigerian football into the global spotlight.

Nigeria’s journey to the final included a convincing 3-1 victory over Brazil in the semi-finals, where Awawu Bashiru scored twice after Queen Joseph had opened the scoring.

The team had also overcome several challenging opponents on their way to the final, demonstrating resilience and determination after beginning the tournament with a 2-1 defeat to Poland.

The triumph represents a significant milestone for Nigerian women’s football and African football as a whole, with the Flamingos writing their names into the history books.

The victory also reinforces Nigeria’s reputation as a major force in youth football and provides a landmark moment for the country’s female football development.