Nigeria’s Falconets will face England on Thursday in the Round of 16 at the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Poland, with a place in the quarterfinals at stake.
The match is scheduled for 3 p.m. Nigerian time at Stadion Miejski in Bielsko-Biała.
Nigeria reached the knockout stage after producing their biggest win in the history of the competition, defeating New Caledonia 10-1 in their final Group F match on Sunday.
The result lifted the Falconets to second place in Group F with four points, behind Spain, and made Nigeria the only African team to reach the Round of 16.
Ramotalahi Kareem and substitute Winner Onajite David scored hat tricks, while Rebecca Adegbemile scored twice and Seimeyeha Janet Akekoromowei and Tosin Rafiu also found the net.
The victory was a major response after Nigeria opened the tournament with a 2-0 defeat to Spain and then played a goalless draw with China.
England also finished second in its group with four points.
The Young Lionesses opened with a 1-1 draw against Canada, defeated Tanzania 5-1 and lost 2-1 to Brazil.
Nigeria coach Moses Aduku will expect his players to carry the confidence from the New Caledonia victory into a much tougher knockout contest.
The Falconets have reached the final of the U-20 Women’s World Cup twice, finishing runners-up to Germany in 2010 and 2014.
They are seeking to go beyond the quarterfinal stage for the first time since 2018.
NFF Acting General Secretary Emmanuel Ikpeme praised the team after the New Caledonia victory.
“They showed the true Nigeria spirit and overcame the odds when it mattered most,” Ikpeme said.
He urged the players to “sustain the win-mentality and go all the way.”
Victory over England would send the Falconets into the quarterfinals, where they would face the winner of Thursday’s match between Poland and Colombia.
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