Nigeria’s U20 Women’s National Team, the Falconets, have opened camp in Abuja as preparations intensify for the 2026 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup in Poland, scheduled to take place from September 5 to 27, Trybal News reports.
Head coach Moses Aduku has invited 28 players for the early phase of preparations, with 16 already reporting to camp as training activities commenced in the nation’s capital. The remaining invited players are expected to join the squad in the coming days.
The coaching crew wasted little time in getting down to work, overseeing intensive training sessions designed to sharpen the team ahead of another appearance on football’s biggest stage for youth women’s football.
Nigeria secured qualification for the tournament following an impressive campaign in the African qualifiers. The Falconets cruised past Rwanda with a commanding 5-0 aggregate victory in the second round before overcoming Senegal 3-2 on aggregate in the penultimate stage. They eventually booked their place in Poland after defeating Malawi 3-2 on aggregate in the final qualifying round.
The qualification further extended Nigeria’s remarkable record as the only African nation to feature in every edition of the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup since the competition was introduced in 2002.
The Falconets remain one of the tournament’s most successful teams, having reached the final in 2010 and 2014 and the semi-finals in 2012. At the 2024 edition in Colombia, Nigeria opened their campaign with a victory over Korea Republic before progressing to the Round of 16, where they were eliminated by Japan.
For the 2026 tournament, the Falconets have been drawn in Group F alongside Spain, China PR and Paraguay, and will be aiming to build on their proud history as they chase a first-ever FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup title.
