Nigeria’s Falconets will face a stern test at the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup after being drawn in a difficult Group F alongside former champions Spain, China PR and tournament debutants New Caledonia.
The draw for the 12th edition of the tournament was conducted on Thursday in Lodz, Poland, ahead of the competition scheduled to run from September 5 to 27 across four Polish cities.
The Falconets, one of Africa’s most successful teams in the history of the tournament, are aiming to improve on their previous outing and revive memories of their best performances, having finished runners-up in both 2010 and 2014.
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Nigeria’s toughest challenge on paper is expected to come against Spain, who won the title in Costa Rica in 2022 and remain one of the favorites heading into the tournament.
China PR also arrive with strong pedigree at youth level, while New Caledonia will be making their debut appearance on the world stage.
Full group stage draw
Group A
- Poland
- Mexico
- Argentina
- Benin
Group B
- Brazil
- England
- Canada
- Tanzania
Group C
- France
- Korea Republic
- Ghana
- Ecuador
Group D
- Japan
- USA
- New Zealand
- Italy
Group E
- Korea DPR
- Colombia
- Costa Rica
- Portugal
Group F
- Spain
- Nigeria
- China PR
- New Caledonia
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Poland will host its first major global women’s football tournament, with matches scheduled to take place in Bielsko-Biała, Katowice, Lodz and Sosnowiec.
Six nations Benin, Ecuador, New Caledonia, Poland, Portugal and Tanzania will make their debut appearances at the competition.
Meanwhile, Korea DPR and the United States are both chasing a record fourth FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup title.
