Nigeria Beat Japan to Win Historic FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup Title

• Nigeria defeated Japan 2-1 to win the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup.

• The Flamingos became the first African team to lift the trophy.

• Awawu Bashiru and Oluebube Umejaiku scored the goals for Nigeria.

• Oluebube Umejaiku was named Player of the Match after a brilliant display.

The Flamingos have become world champions for the first time after defeating Japan 2-1 in the final of the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup Morocco 2026.

More importantly, they have achieved something no African team had managed before them, becoming the first nation from the continent to lift the trophy.

It was a victory built on courage, belief and attacking football as Akeem Busari's side completed one of the greatest achievements in Nigerian football history.

The Flamingos started brightly and immediately showed they were not intimidated by the occasion.

Awawu Bashiru and Oluebube Umejaiku both came close in the opening stages as Nigeria pushed Japan onto the back foot. But the warning signs were there.

Umejaiku almost opened the scoring when a dangerous free-kick caused confusion inside the Japanese penalty area, only for her effort to crash against the crossbar. Japan survived that scare, but not the next one.

In the 39th minute, Bashiru floated a hopeful dropping ball towards goal. Japan goalkeeper Kou Kadowaki appeared set to gather comfortably, only for the ball to slip through her gloves and into the net. Nigeria had their breakthrough.

If the first goal involved fortune, the second was all about quality.

Just two minutes into the second half, Esther Stephen produced a magnificent long pass over the Japanese defence.

Umejaiku raced onto it, controlled brilliantly and then delicately lifted the ball over the advancing goalkeeper. It was a finish worthy of a World Cup final. At 2-0, Nigeria could almost touch the trophy.

To their credit, Japan refused to surrender. With ten minutes remaining, substitute Anri Ito headed a corner back into the danger area and Fuki Ito volleyed home to halve the deficit, setting up a nervy finish.

Suddenly, every Nigerian supporter watching around the world was counting down the seconds. Japan pushed forward, while Nigeria dug deep. The Flamingos defended with everything they had, then came the final whistle.

After recovering from an opening defeat to Poland earlier in the tournament, Nigeria fought their way past Puerto Rico, stunned defending champions DPR Korea, defeated Mexico and Venezuela, outclassed Brazil and finally overcame Japan..

Oluebube Umejaiku was named Player of the Match following another outstanding display, but this was a triumph for the entire squad.