World Cup Qualifiers

U20 Women’s World Cup qualifiers: Falconets to face either Rwanda or Zimbabwe

By Jennifer Udo

Posted on May 11, 2025

Nigeria’s U20 women’s team, the Falconets, will begin preparation for their 2026 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup in the second round of African qualifiers, where they will face either Rwanda or Zimbabwe.

The game qualifiers will begin across the continent this weekend, which will mark the beginning of a long race toward the tournament set to be held in Poland in August 2026.

The Falconets is widely recognised as one of Africa’s most impressive youth teams, and has maintain the unbeaten status in the competition’s history with 44 wins and only three draws.

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Africa’s qualification campaign will unfold after four knockout rounds, with just four teams eventually making it through to the global finals.

The team, will serve as a reliable host to supply Super Falcons with young stars, has featured in every edition of the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup since its inception.

The Falconets have reached the final of the global tournament twice, losing to Germany on both first and second encounters — first in 2010, then again in 2014. Even after experiencing those setbacks, they remain a powerhouse on the continent and a consistent force at the global level.

As they await the outcome of the first-round clash between Rwanda and Zimbabwe, Nigeria’s preparations will continue with a focus on maintaining their qualifying dominance.

Super Falconets of Nigeria football team who were yesterday knocked out of the FIFA Women’s U-20 world cup by Japan in Bogota

The winner between Rwanda and Zimbabwe will be decided over two legs — the first to be played on Sunday, 11 May, and the second leg on Wednesday, 14 May.