The National Sports Commission (NSC) on Saturday, 7 November, 2026 congratulated Nigeria’s U-17 women’s national team, the Flamingos, after they defeated Japan 2-1 to win the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Rabat, Morocco.
Nigeria’s victory adds to the country’s achievements in youth football, with the Golden Eaglets having won the men’s FIFA U-17 World Cup five times, in 1985, 1993, 2007, 2013 and 2015.
The Flamingos’ triumph is Nigeria’s first title in the women’s U-17 competition since its establishment in 2008.
The Flamingos secured the historic victory with goals from Awawu Bashiru and Oluebube Umejiaku, becoming the first African nation to win the women’s U-17 World Cup.
The commission, through a statement issued on Saturday, 7 November, 2026, described the triumph as a remarkable achievement, noting that it marked a defining moment for Nigerian and African women’s football.
The NSC also highlighted that Nigeria had become the first African country to win the FIFA U-17 World Cup in both the men’s and women’s categories.
The victory further made the Flamingos the first team in the history of the women’s competition to lose their opening match and go on to lift the trophy.
“The National Sports Commission congratulates the Nigeria U-17 Women’s National Team on this remarkable achievement, which marks a defining moment for Nigerian and African women’s football,” the statement read.
The commission added,
“Congratulations, Flamingos. Nigeria celebrates you. Africa celebrates you.”
