Flamingos set to arrive Nigeria after historic FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup triumph

Spread the word Nigeria’s victorious U-17 women’s national team, the Flamingos, will return home from Morocco in the early hours of Monday, November 9, 2026 following their historic triumph at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.

The team is scheduled to depart Morocco through the Mohammed V International Airport, Casablanca, at 1:00 a.m., with arrival expected at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, at 5:00 a.m.

The travel update was communicated by the team’s media officer, Erenayo Dorcas Koki, who also expressed appreciation to journalists and other media colleagues for their coverage and support throughout the tournament, blueprint reports.

The media officer also thanked journalists for documenting the team’s progress and sharing its story with Nigerians and football followers across the continent.

In a message to colleagues, Koki said their coverage, encouragement and support had helped celebrate a team that had made Nigeria and Africa proud on the global stage.

“As we bring this journey to a close, I want to sincerely thank you all for coming along with us. Thank you for your coverage, support, encouragement and for helping tell the Flamingos’ story throughout the tournament,” she said.

She added that further information concerning the team’s reception and arrival activities would be communicated in due course.

The Flamingos are returning home as world champions after defeating Japan 2-1 in Saturday’s final of the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Rabat.

The victory secured Nigeria’s first-ever title in the competition and made the country the first African nation to lift the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup trophy.

It was also a landmark moment for African women’s football, as Nigeria became the first African women’s national team to win a FIFA World Cup title at any level.

Nigeria took the lead in the 39th minute through Awawu Bashiru, whose effort from distance found the back of the net after Japan goalkeeper Kou Kadowaki failed to hold the ball.

The Nigerian girls returned from the interval with renewed determination and doubled their advantage two minutes into the second half.

Forward Oluebube Umejiaku raced onto a superb pass from Esther Stephen before showing composure to lift the ball over the advancing Japanese goalkeeper.

Japan reduced the deficit in the 80th minute through Fuki Ito, setting up a tense closing period as the Asian side pushed for an equaliser.

However, the Flamingos maintained their defensive discipline and held on to their advantage until the final whistle, triggering celebrations among the players, officials and Nigerian supporters.

The triumph was particularly significant because Nigeria’s campaign did not begin on a winning note.

The Flamingos lost their opening group match 2-1 to Poland, raising questions about their prospects in a competition featuring some of the strongest youth teams in women’s football.

Rather than allow the setback to derail their campaign, the Nigerian side regrouped and responded with six consecutive victories to secure the championship.

They recovered with victories over Puerto Rico and defending champions Korea DPR in the group stage before progressing through the knockout rounds against Mexico, Venezuela and Brazil.

Their 3-1 semi-final victory over Brazil secured Nigeria’s first appearance in the final of the competition, where they completed the remarkable turnaround by overcoming Japan.

The achievement made the Flamingos the first team to lose their opening match of the tournament and go on to win the title.

Beyond the collective achievement, Nigeria’s triumph was complemented by outstanding individual performances, particularly from Umejiaku.

The forward was named winner of the adidas Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player after playing a decisive role in the Flamingos’ successful campaign.

She scored four goals during the competition, including the winning goal against Japan, and was also named Player of the Match in the final.

Her rise was one of the defining stories of Nigeria’s campaign. After scoring as a substitute in the opening defeat to Poland, she continued to make important contributions as the team progressed through the tournament.

The United States’ Maddie DiMaria won the Golden Boot after finishing as the competition’s leading scorer with 12 goals, while Yu Jong-hyang of Korea DPR received the Silver Ball.

Japan’s Fuki Ito won the Bronze Ball, while Korea DPR goalkeeper Kim Son-gyong claimed the Golden Glove. Japan also received the FIFA Fair Play Trophy.

The Flamingos’ victory attracted commendations from football authorities and national leaders, reflecting the significance of the achievement beyond the age-grade competition.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino congratulated Nigeria, describing the triumph as well deserved and acknowledging the historic significance of an African team winning the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup for the first time.

The Nigeria Football Federation also celebrated the victory, noting that the country had become the first African nation to win both the men’s and women’s editions of the FIFA U-17 World Cup.

Nigeria had previously won the men’s U-17 World Cup five times, in 1985, 1993, 2007, 2013 and 2015. The women’s triumph has now added another landmark to the country’s record in youth international football.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu also congratulated the players, describing their achievement as a proud moment for Nigeria and a landmark for African women’s football.

The President praised their courage, discipline and determination, particularly their ability to recover from the opening defeat and deliver on their promise to bring the trophy home.

With the competition concluded and the trophy secured, attention has now shifted to the team’s return and the reception awaiting the champions in Nigeria.

The scheduled 5:00 a.m. arrival at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport will mark the end of the Flamingos’ successful campaign in Morocco and their first homecoming as FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup champions.

However, Koki said details of the team’s arrival arrangements would be communicated separately, leaving the specific reception programme and other activities subject to further announcement.

Her appreciation to the media also brought the team’s communication with journalists during the tournament to a close, acknowledging the role of sports reporters and other media professionals in keeping Nigerians informed about the players’ journey.

For the young champions, the return is more than the conclusion of an international assignment. It is a homecoming after a campaign that has given Nigeria its first title in the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup and placed African women’s football at the summit of the global competition.

The Flamingos are expected to arrive in Abuja with a trophy that represents a historic achievement for the country and a new milestone for the continent.