Nigeria’s U-17 Girls Enter at Second Round, Eye Record-Extending 10th Appearance in Global Showpiece.

Flamingos

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially unveiled the qualification pathway for Nigeria’s Flamingos (U-17 women’s national team) ahead of the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, to be hosted in Morocco. The draw, conducted on Saturday in Rabat, positions Nigeria to enter the campaign at the second round, showcasing their established status in African youth women’s football.

Flamingos’ Qualification Journey

Nigeria will face the winner of the preliminary round clash between Niger and Guinea in the second round. The fixtures are scheduled as follows:

  • First leg: May 22–24, 2026
  • Second leg: May 29–31, 2026

A victory would propel the Flamingos into the third round (decisive round), with matches set for early July:

  • First leg: July 3–5, 2026
  • Second leg: July 10–12, 2026

The third round will determine Africa’s four qualifying spots for the global tournament, with Morocco automatically qualified as hosts.

Other second-round ties include high-profile matchups such as Burkina Faso vs Benin, Tunisia vs Senegal, Algeria vs Cameroon, Ghana vs Togo, and South Africa vs Central African Republic.

Nigeria’s Stellar Record in U-17 Women’s World Cup

The Flamingos boast an unparalleled legacy, having qualified for eight out of nine editions of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup since its inception in 2008 — the only African nation to achieve this feat. Their standout performance came in 2022 in India, where they claimed a historic bronze medal (third place).

At the continental level, Nigeria have participated in nine African qualification campaigns and are now targeting a record-extending 10th appearance on the world stage.

Eyes on Morocco 2026

The 2026 edition marks an exciting opportunity for African talent to shine on home soil, with Morocco set to host the global showcase. The Flamingos will aim to build on their pedigree and secure one of the coveted qualification spots.

With their bye to the second round and a proven track record, expectations are high for the Flamingos to once again represent Africa proudly.