Nigeria’s Flamingos will compete in Group B of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, Morocco 2026, alongside Poland, Puerto Rico, and defending champions North Korea, Bold Sports reports.
This was confirmed after Nigeria booked their ticket to the global showpiece with an 8-5 aggregate win over Benin Republic in the final qualifying round, played in Lomé, Togo.
The Flamingos edged the first leg 3-2 before putting on a more emphatic display in the return fixture, running out 5-3 winners to seal qualification.
With their place secured, Nigeria extended their remarkable record of appearing at every edition of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup since the competition’s inception, having missed only the 2018 tournament.
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Tough test awaits against North Korea
Morocco will host this year’s tournament from October 17 to November 7, 2026, marking the second of five consecutive editions the North African nation will stage on an annual basis through to 2029.
Of the three teams standing between Nigeria and the knockout rounds, North Korea represent by far the stiffest challenge. The Asian side head into the tournament as defending champions after claiming a record fourth title in 2025, adding to previous triumphs in 2008, 2016, and 2024, a dominance that makes them one of the favorites to lift this year’s trophy.
By contrast, the Flamingos’ other two group assignments appear more favourable on paper. Poland, who made their tournament debut in 2024, impressed on their first outing by reaching the quarter-finals, while Puerto Rico will be the new kids on the block, having qualified for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup for the first time in their history.
Chasing a first World Cup crown
For Nigeria, the tournament represents another opportunity to go all the way and land a first-ever World Cup at this level. The Flamingos have reached the quarter-finals on four previous occasions, in 2010, 2012, 2014, and 2024, but a maiden crown continues to elude them.
Their finest showing at the tournament came in 2022, when the side famously finished third. At the last edition, also staged in Morocco, Nigeria advanced from the group stage as one of the best third-placed teams, before their campaign was ended by a 4-0 defeat to Italy in the Round of 16.
With North Korea’s pedigree, Poland’s ambitions, and Puerto Rico’s raw enthusiasm looming large, Nigeria will be banking on their quality and squad depth to navigate the group phase and mount a serious push for silverware on African soil once more.
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