Nigeria’s Flamingos will seek to end their wait for a maiden FIFA U-17 Women’s Women’s World Cup title against Japan on Saturday, as the African side prepares for a historic final in Morocco.
The encounter at the Mohammed VI Football Complex, Pitch 3, in Rabat, is scheduled to kick off at 7:30 pm West Africa Time, with Nigeria aiming to become the first African country to win the competition.
The final also presents the Flamingos with an opportunity to achieve an unprecedented feat, having recovered from an opening-match defeat to reach the tournament’s showpiece.
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According to FIFA’s statistical preview published on November 5, Nigeria could become the first team to lose its opening match at the competition and subsequently lift the trophy.
The Flamingos started their campaign with a 2-1 loss to Poland but won their next five matches, including a 3-1 semi-final victory over Brazil, to book their place in the final.
Japan, meanwhile, are seeking their second title after winning the competition in 2014. Saturday’s encounter will be their fourth appearance in the final, having also reached the showpiece in 2010 and 2016.
The Japanese have been among the tournament’s most prolific sides, becoming the first team to score 150 goals in the history of the competition.
Their last-gasp equaliser against North Korea in the semi-final, which came through an own goal by Won Sol-gyong, took their overall tally to 150. They remain the all-time leading scorers, 26 goals ahead of the next-best team.
Nigeria have also displayed considerable attacking strength, recording 113 attempts on goal in Morocco, the second-highest tally behind North Korea’s 186.
The Flamingos registered 35 attempts in their semi-final win over Brazil, highlighting their attacking threat ahead of the final.
FIFA also singled out Awawu Bashiru for her impact against Brazil, despite having played only 73 minutes in the tournament before the semi-final.
The forward had previously featured only as a substitute before scoring twice against Brazil and earning the Player of the Match award.
Nigeria’s attacking depth has been reflected in the number of players contributing to their goals, with eight different scorers at the tournament.
Oluwakemi Adegbuyi, Bashiru, Oluebube Umejiaku and Kanyinsola Yusuf have scored twice each, while Mary Dunstan, Queen Joseph, Azeezat Oduntan and Precious Oscar have registered one goal apiece.
Both finalists have won five consecutive matches, equalling the fourth-longest winning streak in the competition’s history.
Only Japan between 2014 and 2016, Spain between 2022 and 2024, and North Korea between 2025 and 2026 have recorded longer runs, with 11, nine and nine victories respectively.
Japan’s experience in the tournament could prove significant, with Saturday’s final marking their 50th match in the competition’s history. Only North Korea, who will play their 51st match in the third-place play-off against Brazil, have featured more.
Japan head coach, Sadayoshi Shirai, will also set a coaching record by taking charge of his 16th match at the tournament.
The Japanese are one of only two countries to have featured in all 10 editions of the competition, alongside New Zealand.
Their defensive record has been equally impressive, with only two goals conceded on their way to the final, against Kenya and North Korea.
FIFA noted that only North Korea in 2024 and Japan in 2014 had conceded fewer goals at the same stage, although both editions featured one fewer match.
The final therefore pits Japan’s tournament pedigree and scoring record against Nigeria’s historic ambition and attacking momentum, with the Flamingos hoping to deliver Africa’s first title.
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