FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup: Flamingos eye historic first U-17 World Cup final against Brazil

FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup: Flamingos ready to make World Cup final history against Brazil

Nigeria‘s Flamingos will face the formidable Brazil team on Wednesday, November 4, in the semi-final of the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.

The match is scheduled for 7:00 pm Nigerian time at the Mohammed VI Football Complex – Pitch 3 in Rabat, Morocco.

Brazil come into this encounter as an undefeated side in the tournament so far, reaching their second consecutive semi-final.

The victorious side of this encounter will get to play in the World Cup Final while the defeated team will play a third-place match to compete for a Bronze medal.

 Flamingos target historic World Cup final appearance

The Flamingos booked their place in the semi-final after securing a win against the Venezuelan side on Sunday through Azeezat Oduntan’s penalty goal in the 89th minute.

Speaking with FIFA correspondents ahead of the encounter, Flamingos head coach Akeem Busari expressed his excitement at reaching the stage of the tournament, he said.

“Reaching the semi-finals is a dream come true for me and a great achievement. I’m looking forward to it because I want to make my country proud,” he added.

“We want to give our best in the next match and show everyone what we can do,” Busari said.

Striker Oluebube Umejiaku and midfielder Mary Dunstan will be critical in breaking down the Brazilian defense, while captain Azeezat Oduntan the hero of the quarterfinal penalty will anchor the backline alongside tournament standouts like Kanyinsola Rodiat Yusuf.

The brilliance of goalkeeper Jane Ijirigho, who has made 16 saves in the tournament, will be key against Brazil.

 “We plan to find ways to hurt Nigeria.” – Rilany, Brazil coach

Brazil’s head coach, Rilany Silva, has openly acknowledged that she anticipates an incredibly tough and highly physical test from the African giants.

“I’m expecting an extremely difficult match. Nigeria are a very physical team,” she said.

“By the 90th minute, they’ll probably still be running as if it were the fifth. We’ll need to be very strategic with our game plan to find ways to hurt Nigeria,” Rilany said.

Brazil enters the match undefeated and possesses a lethal attack spearheaded by Greise Kelly, who leads her side with 3 goals and 5 assists.

Kelly has contributed to eight of the Seleção’s 17 goals, including a tournament-high five assists, while spellbinding defences with her exceptional dribbling.

 Brazil and Nigeria’s routes to the semi-finals

Brazil remain undefeated in this campaign with a rollercoaster 6-2 win over Canada to set the tone for their campaign, an enthralling 3-3 draw with Ghana, and a resounding 3-0 win against Norway to secure qualification from the group stage.
They recorded another 3-3 draw against Poland in the tournament’s Round of 16.

Rilany’s side then found themselves behind against China PR, but rallied with two goals after the break to make it to a second successive semi-final.

Nigeria fell to defeat in their opener, losing 2-1 to Poland, which left Akeem Busari‘s side with a battle to keep their knockout hopes alive.

They downed Puerto Rico 2-0 to get back on track, before their tournament-shaking victory over DPR Korea saw them soar into the second round.

Mexico were dispatched in the last 16, with Venezuela next to fall thanks to an 89th-minute Azeezat Oduntan penalty.

History awaits the Flamingos

Despite both teams reaching the semi-finals in previous editions, neither has made it to the final.

A victory will propel Nigeria into their first-ever FIFA U-17 World Cup final, shattering their previous tournament record.
Nigeria will be hoping not to be on the losing side of this semi-final and finish better than their 2022 bronze finish.

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