U20FIFAWWC: Falconets depart for Poland with 21-player squad

Nigeria U20 women’s national team, the Falconets, have departed for Poland with a 21-player squad for the 2026 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup, www.aclsports.com reports.

Head coach Moses Aduku and his team travelled from Abuja, where they had been in camp finalising preparations for the tournament, which will run from September 5 to 27.

Among those named in the final squad are Benfica striker Janet Akekoromowei and the Falconets captain and Nasarawa Amazons midfielder Joy Igbokwe.

Two-time runners-up Nigeria have been drawn in Group F alongside Spain, China PR and New Caledonia. The Falconets will face Spain on September 7, China PR on September 10 before rounding off their group campaign against New Caledonia on September 13.

Nigeria are the only African country to have featured at every edition of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup and, alongside Brazil and the United States, will make their 12th appearance at the competition since its inception in 2002.

Squad List

Goalkeepers: Christiana Uzoma, Jane Ijirigho, Bright Etim

Defenders: Faridat Abdulwahab, Hannah Ibrahim, Tumininu Adeshina, Rebecca Adegbemile, Onyedikachi Ekezie, Jumai Adebayo

Midfielders: Joy Igbokwe, Favour Nkwocha, Tosin Rafiu

Forwards: Ramotalahi Kareem, Queen Joseph, Janet Akekoromowei, Precious Oscar, Mary Mamudu, Victory Lucky, Amber Ogbolu, Winner David, Chisom Nwachukwu

Image: Dr Victor Ademola