Nigeria’s Falconets have arrived in Katowice as preparations enter their final phase ahead of the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, with the West Africans now turning their attention to Monday’s opening Group F encounter against Spain, Trybal News reports.
The Nigerian U-20 Women’s National Team departed their training base in Trzebnica on Thursday and arrived at the Novotel Katowice Centrum, where they will be based as they prepare for their first competitive fixture of the tournament.
The World Cup officially kicks off in Poland on Saturday, with Nigeria beginning their campaign against Spain on Monday, September 7.
Head coach Moses Aduku and his technical crew spent 10 days in Trzebnica intensifying preparations across several areas, including tactical organisation, technical execution, physical conditioning and team cohesion.
The training camp also provided the players with valuable time to acclimatise to the Polish environment and build the match sharpness required for the demands of the global tournament.
The Falconets completed their final build-up matches unbeaten, securing a 1-0 victory over hosts Poland before drawing 1-1 with Korea Republic in their final warm-up game on Tuesday.
Mary Mamudu was the decisive figure in both matches, scoring the only goal in Nigeria’s victory over Poland last Friday before finding the net again against Korea Republic.
The two international friendlies gave Aduku and his technical crew an opportunity to assess the squad against different styles of opposition while allowing the players to adapt further to the pace, intensity and playing conditions they are expected to encounter during the World Cup.
With the Trzebnica phase now complete, the Falconets will use their time in Katowice to make their final preparations before travelling to Sosnowiec for their opening Group F fixture against Spain.
Aduku has expressed confidence in the state of his squad heading into the tournament, with the coach confirming that there are no injury concerns.
“For me, we are good; no injury worries. My girls are ready; therefore, we are waiting for the 7th against Spain. We are ready; that’s why we are in Poland. We are here to take it one game at a time,” Aduku said after the draw against Korea Republic.
Nigeria will face a strong test in Spain in their opening fixture before taking on China PR on September 10. Their final Group F match will be against New Caledonia on September 13 in Łódź.
The Falconets enter the tournament with a strong pedigree at the age-grade competition. Nigeria have participated in every edition of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup since its inaugural staging in 2002, alongside the USA and Brazil as the only nations to have maintained that record.
The team have also twice reached the final, finishing runners-up to Germany in 2010 and again in 2014.
Nigeria secured their place at the 2026 tournament through a demanding African qualifying campaign, overcoming Rwanda 5-0 on aggregate, Senegal 3-1 and Malawi 3-2 over two legs.
The 21-player squad features a blend of domestic league talent and international experience, with Queen Joseph and SL Benfica forward Janet Akekoromowei among the attacking options available to Aduku.
There have, however, been changes to the squad’s original leadership group, with visa complications preventing captain Joy Igbokwe and defender Farida Abdulwahab from travelling to Poland. Christiana Uzoma has subsequently taken over the captaincy.
Seventeen-year-old forward Precious Oscar will also be one to watch after FIFA identified her among the tournament’s key young talents. Oscar scored the decisive goal against Malawi that secured Nigeria’s qualification for Poland.
For the Falconets, the immediate focus is now firmly on Spain. After years of coming close to the ultimate prize, Nigeria will begin another World Cup campaign hoping to finally turn their impressive record into a maiden FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup title.
