Nigeria’s Flamingos defeated Japan 2- 1 to claim the FIFA U17 women’s world cup in Japan after a nervy fight final at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Rabat on Saturday, 7th of November , 2026.
The win was Nigeria’s first FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup title, the win also made Nigeria the first African country to win the competition.
Japan, three-time finalists and 2014 champions, went into the match as favourites after winning all their matches en route to the final,, but they met a very disciplined Nigeria side on the verge of rewriting history.
The Flamingos took the lead in the 39th minute after the Japanese Goalie allowed an Awawu Bashiru low drive to slip through her hands.
Coach Busari girls held the Japanese to smother only one shot on target, as the defense partnership of Ohunene and Stephen frustrated the Japanese offensive lines, allowing the flamingos to head into the first half with their heads high.
Oluebube Umejiaku made it 2-0 in the 47th minute, shortly after the restart, jinxing the ball over the onrushing Kou Kadowki to double the flamingos lead.
Japan enjoyed most of the ball possession handling them a whopping 53 per cent of the possession, but Nigeria had more shots, eight to six.
Japan pushed late, and Fuki Ito pulled one back in the 80th minute, but the Flamingos held on through the closing stages to deal victory on the night.
