Flamingos are world champions: Nigeria beat Japan to win the U-17 Women’s World Cup
The first African winners in the tournament’s history, and Nigeria’s first FIFA world title in women’s football.
By SitesNG Sports Desk · · 2 min read
History in Rabat. Nigeria’s Flamingos beat Japan 2-1 in the final of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup at the Mohammed VI Football Complex on Saturday 7 November 2026. They are the first African team to win the tournament since it began in 2008, and it is Nigeria’s first FIFA world title in women’s football.
Awawu Bashiru opened the scoring with a long-range shot in the 39th minute, and Oluebube Umejiaku chipped the Japan goalkeeper two minutes after half-time. Fuki Ito pulled one back from a corner in the 80th minute, but the Flamingos held on. Umejiaku was named the tournament’s best player.
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From defeat to the trophy
The campaign began with a 2-1 defeat by Poland. After that the Flamingos won every game, starting with a 3-1 win over holders Korea DPR on 23 October that ended an 18-match unbeaten run stretching back to 2018.
| Round | Result | Nigeria scorers |
|---|---|---|
| Group | Nigeria 3-1 Korea DPR | Adegbuyi, Umejiaku, Yusuf |
| Round of 16 | Nigeria 2-1 Mexico | Umejiaku, Dunstan |
| Quarter-final | Nigeria 1-0 Venezuela | Oduntan (pen, 89’) |
| Semi-final | Nigeria 3-1 Brazil | Joseph, Bashiru 2 |
| Final | Nigeria 2-1 Japan | Bashiru, Umejiaku |
“Let’s be focused and finish the job because it’s not yet done.”
Head coach Akeem Busari, before the final
Nigeria’s best finish before this was third place in 2022. Read the full story of the team on our Flamingos page.
Reporting by the SitesNG Sports Desk, based on reports from Afrik-Foot, Legit.ng, YEN.com.gh, Africa Top Sports, Flashscore, CAF. Published 7 November 2026 in the African Sports News weekly edition of 10 November 2026.
