Nigeria Flamingos Beat Brazil 3-1 to Reach First U-17 Women's World Cup Final

Nigeria beat Brazil 3-1 in Morocco on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, to reach the final of the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup for the first time. Queen Joseph opened the scoring in the 56th minute and Awawu Bashiru scored twice late in the second half, and the Flamingos held on after a late Brazil goal to close a semi-final that had stayed level for almost an hour.

The first half ended goalless. Nigeria pressed after the break and Joseph broke the deadlock from close range in the 56th minute, finishing after an initial effort from Oluwakemi Adegbuyi was blocked. The goal changed the match. Brazil had to chase the game, Nigeria found more space, and the second goal followed fifteen minutes later.

Bashiru takes the game away

Bashiru made it 2-0 in the 71st minute and scored her second goal in the 80th minute to put Nigeria three goals clear with ten minutes left. Brazil replied in the 89th minute through Greise Kelly, but the goal came too late to change the result. The final score was Nigeria 3, Brazil 1, and Voice of Nigeria confirmed that Nigeria had qualified for the final and would face Japan.

The win carries a place in the record books. Complete Sports reported that the Flamingos are the first African team to qualify for the final of the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup. No African side had reached this game before, in a tournament where Nigeria had come close before without taking the last step.

From an opening loss to five straight wins

Nigeria did not start the tournament like finalists. The Flamingos lost their opening Group B game 2-1 to Poland, then won five straight matches to reach the final. Head coach Akeem Busari was listed in charge of the team for the semi-final, and his side improved as the tournament went on, from the opening defeat to a controlled semi-final win over one of the strongest youth programs in the women's game.

The run also improves on Nigeria's best previous finish at this tournament. At India 2022, Nigeria took third place, beating Germany on penalties in the bronze match after losing to Colombia on penalties in the semi-final. This time the semi-final ended in ninety minutes, with goals to spare, and the prize is a first final.

The Confederation of African Football marked the night on X with the message "AFRICA, MAKE SOME NOISE! THE FLAMINGOS ARE WORLD CUP FINALISTS!", as reported in coverage of the reaction to the result. The message summed up what the win means beyond one squad: a first final for Nigeria and a first final for the continent at this level.

Japan wait in the final

Nigeria will face Japan in the final on Saturday, November 7, 2026. Japan reached the final by beating defending champions North Korea 4-1 on penalties after regulation time ended 1-1 in the other semi-final. Nigeria have three days to recover and prepare for a Japan side that held the holders level and then won the shootout, with a first world title at this age group on the line for the Flamingos.