Nigeria Wins FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup
Nigeria beat Japan in the final in Rabat to claim its first title at the tournament.
Updated on Nov. 7, 2026 in Soccer
Nigeria defeated Japan to win the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup, the first African nation to do so. Oluebube Umejaiku scored the winning goal in the 47th minute after Awawu Bashiru opened the scoring in the 39th.
Why it matters
The title marks a first for Nigeria and a historic milestone for African women's football at youth level. It underlines the growing competitiveness of African teams in the global women's game.
The final finished 2-1 in Nigeria's favor, with Bashiru scoring in the 39th minute and Umejaiku in the 47th, while Fuki Ito replied for Japan in the 80th minute. Umejaiku was named Player of the Match in the Rabat final.
The players
Oluebube Umejaiku
Nigerian forward who scored the winning goal in the final and was named Player of the Match.
Awawu Bashiru
Nigerian forward who scored the opening goal of the final in the 39th minute.
Kou Kadowaki
Japanese goalkeeper who was beaten by both Nigerian goals in the final.
The details
Bashiru's dropping ball looped toward goal and slipped between goalkeeper Kou Kadowaki's gloves. Umejaiku then controlled a raking pass from Esther Stephen and lobbed the ball over Kadowaki to seal the win.
Timeline
Nigeria beat Japan in the final on November 7, 2026.
Season Trajectory
Nigeria's victory makes it the first African nation to lift the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup, extending the continent's rising presence in youth women's football. The title sets a new benchmark for African teams at this level of the global tournament structure.
The title gives Nigeria its first FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup crown and makes it the first African nation to win the tournament. Japan's 1-2 defeat ends its run in the final at Rabat.
The takeaway
Nigeria's first-ever title at this level shows how fast African women's youth teams are developing against established powers. The result is a reminder that the global women's game is becoming more competitive at every age group.
Further reading
Explore more Soccer coverage for context on this tournament.
