Nigeria’s U20 women’s national team, the Falconets, have departed the country for Poland ahead of the 2026 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup, with the team promising to make Nigeria proud at the global tournament.
The Falconets left Nigeria on Monday, August 24, after completing their final phase of preparations in Abuja ahead of the tournament.
The two-time World Cup finalists secured their place in Poland after navigating a successful qualifying campaign against Rwanda, Senegal and Malawi.
Nigeria defeated Rwanda 5-0 on aggregate, overcame Senegal 3-1 and sealed qualification with a 3-2 aggregate victory over Malawi.
The team subsequently embarked on an intensive training camp in Abuja, where preparations focused on physical fitness, tactical discipline, teamwork and mental readiness.
Head coach Moses Aduku expressed confidence in his squad, insisting the players are physically and mentally prepared to compete at the highest level.
Aduku said the Falconets will travel to Poland with a strong winning mentality and the ambition of going all the way to claim the trophy.
Captain Joy Igbokwe also assured Nigerians that the players are determined to make the country proud.
She called on Nigerians to continue supporting and praying for the team, promising that the Falconets would fight to give the country something to celebrate.
Falconets face Spain, China, New Caledonia
Nigeria have been drawn in Group F alongside Spain, China PR and New Caledonia.
The Falconets will begin their campaign against Spain on September 7 before facing China on September 10 and New Caledonia on September 13.
Nigeria finished runners-up at the 2010 and 2014 editions of the competition and will be hoping to go one step further in Poland by winning their first FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup title.
The Falconets are also the only African team to have featured at every edition of the competition since it was introduced as an U19 tournament in Canada 24 years ago.
A total of 21 players will represent Nigeria at this year’s tournament as the team begins its latest quest to finally turn its long history of World Cup appearances into a maiden title.