Nigeria women national U-20 Football team, popularly known as the Falconets, have been drawn in a challenging Group F alongside former champions and debutants for the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Poland.
The draw for the 12th edition of the tournament was conducted in Lodz on Thursday, ahead of the competition scheduled to hold from September 5 to 27 across four Polish cities.
Nigeria, one of Africa’s most successful teams in the tournament’s history, will face a difficult opening-round challenge against Spain, winners of the 2022 edition in Costa Rica. China PR also boast significant experience at youth level, while New Caledonia will be making their first appearance at the global finals.
The Falconets will be aiming to surpass their performance at the last edition and revive memories of their best campaigns, having finished runners-up in 2010 and 2014.
Hosts Poland headline Group A alongside Argentina, Benin and Mexico, while defending champions, North Korea women’s national U-20 football team, begin their title defence in Group E against Colombia, Costa Rica and Portugal.
Other standout fixtures include Group B, which features Brazil, England, Canada and Tanzania, while Group C comprises France, Korea Republic, Ghana and Ecuador. Group D includes former champions Japan and the United States, alongside New Zealand and Italy.
The full draw places Poland, Mexico, Argentina and Benin in Group A; Brazil, England, Canada and Tanzania in Group B; France, Korea Republic, Ghana and Ecuador in Group C; and Japan, USA, New Zealand and Italy in Group D. Group E consists of Korea DPR, Colombia, Costa Rica and Portugal, while Nigeria, Spain, China PR and New Caledonia make up Group F.
Six nations — Benin, Ecuador, New Caledonia, Poland, Portugal and Tanzania — will make their debut appearances at the competition, while Korea DPR and the USA will both be chasing a record fourth title.
