Nigeria defeated Japan 2-1 in Rabat on Saturday, November 7, to claim the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup and become the first African nation to win the tournament.
Oluebube Umejiaku scored the goal that settled the final and was later awarded the Golden Ball as the competition’s best player.
The Flamingos took the lead in the 39th minute when Awawu Bashiru converted a pass from Mary Dunstan. Her looping attempt evaded Japan goalkeeper Kou Kadowaki’s gloves before dropping into the net.
Nigeria extended their advantage just two minutes after half-time. Esther Stephen sent a long pass forward for Umejiaku, who brought the ball under control with her left foot before lifting a finish over Kadowaki in the 47th minute.
Japan, coached by Sadayoshi Shirai, reduced the deficit in the 80th minute. Substitute Anri Ito headed a corner back across the penalty area, allowing Fuki Ito to strike a volley beyond Nigeria goalkeeper Jane Ijirigho.
Nigeria withstood Japan’s late pressure to secure the trophy at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Morocco. After the final whistle, the official FIFA Women’s World Cup account shared video of the Nigerian squad celebrating on the pitch.
The victory marks a landmark moment for African women’s football at under-17 level. No African country had previously won the global tournament since it was first held in 2008.
Nigeria’s best result before this year’s triumph had been a third-place finish in 2022.
North Korea won the bronze medal, while hosts Morocco had already been eliminated from the competition.
Ghana’s Black Maidens also reached the quarter-finals in Morocco. Their group campaign included a 3-3 draw with Brazil and a penalty shootout victory over Argentina on Wednesday, October 28.
They then faced Japan in their quarter-final tie on November 1.
