FIFA President Gianni Infantino has congratulated Nigeria’s Flamingos on their historic triumph at the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, describing their victory over Japan as “well deserved”.
The Nigerian side defeated Japan 2-1 in Saturday’s final at the Mohammed VI Football Academy in Rabat, Morocco, to become the first African nation to win the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
The victory also made Nigeria the first African country to claim a FIFA Women’s World Cup title at any level, ending the continent’s long wait for a global women’s football crown.
Infantino, who congratulated the team shortly after the trophy presentation, described the achievement as a landmark moment for Nigeria and African football.
“Congratulations to Nigeria, world champion U-17 Women’s World Cup of FIFA here in Rabat. First African team to ever win a (FIFA) Women’s U-17 World Cup — so many congratulations to Nigeria. Well deserved in the final,” he said.
The Flamingos’ triumph was particularly remarkable given their difficult start to the competition, having lost their opening match to Poland.
However, the Nigerian youngsters recovered impressively, winning six consecutive matches to lift the trophy. Their impressive run included a crucial victory over defending champions North Korea in the group stage, which revived their campaign.
In the final, Awawu Bashiru gave Nigeria the lead before Oluebube Umejiaku extended the advantage shortly after the restart.
Umejiaku’s 47th-minute strike, her fourth goal of the tournament, proved decisive and further underlined her outstanding performance, earning her the Golden Ball award as the competition’s best player.
Japan reduced the deficit in the 80th minute but the Flamingos held firm in the closing stages to secure a historic victory.
The triumph represents a major milestone for Nigerian football and establishes the Flamingos as pioneers of African women’s football on the global stage.
