Nigeria’s Flamingos have booked their place at the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup after defeating Benin Republic in a thrilling final qualifying round.
The Nigerian girls secured qualification with a 5-3 victory in Saturday’s second-leg clash at the Stade de Kégué in Lomé, Togo, completing an 8-5 aggregate triumph over their West African neighbours.
The result earned the Flamingos one of Africa’s four qualification slots for the tournament, which will be hosted by Morocco later this year.
Having won the first leg 3-2 in Ikenne, Ogun State, Coach Akeem Busari’s side completed the job in emphatic fashion, with Mark Akpan, Esther Stephen and Queen Joseph among the goalscorers in the entertaining second leg.
Nigeria will now join hosts, Morocco in the expanded 24-team FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, scheduled to take place from October 17 to November 7, 2026.
The Flamingos reached the final qualifying round after an outstanding display against Guinea, recording an emphatic 11-0 aggregate victory, following a 5-0 away win and a 6-0 home triumph.
The latest qualification further underlines Nigeria’s impressive record in the competition.
Apart from missing out on the 2018 edition, the Flamingos have qualified for every FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
Their best performance came in 2022 when they finished third to claim the bronze medal.
Over the years, the Nigerian side has reached the quarter-finals four times, exited twice in the group stage and once in the Round of 16.
With qualification now secured, the Flamingos will be aiming to surpass their previous best finish and lift the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup trophy on African soil.
