INFANTINO CONGRATULATES NIGERIA’S FLAMINGOS ON HISTORIC U-17 WORLD CUP TRIUMPH

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By Aishat Momoh. O.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has congratulated Nigeria’s Flamingos on their historic victory at the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, describing their triumph as “well deserved”.

Nigeria defeated Japan 2-1 in the final played on November 7 at the Mohammed VI Football Academy in Rabat, Morocco, to become the first African country to win the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.

The victory also made Nigeria the first African nation to win a FIFA women’s World Cup title at any level.

Infantino congratulated the team shortly after the trophy presentation, praising their achievement as a historic moment for Nigeria and the African continent.

“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 bounced back from an opening-match defeat to Poland to win six consecutive games and clinch the title.

Their impressive run included a group-stage victory over defending champions North Korea, a result that revived their campaign.

In the final, Awawu Bashiru opened the scoring for Nigeria before Oluebube Umejiaku doubled the lead shortly after the restart.

Umejiaku’s 47th-minute strike, her fourth goal of the tournament, proved decisive and earned her the Golden Ball award as the competition’s best player.

Japan pulled one goal back in the 80th minute, but Nigeria held on to secure the trophy.

The triumph marks a landmark achievement for Nigerian football and ends Africa’s long wait for a FIFA women’s World Cup title.