By Teddy Nwanunobi
Nigeria’s historic triumph at the just concluded 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Rabat, Morocco has earned the country two more FIFA World Cup records. The victory also ended Nigeria’s 18-year wait for a FIFA U-17 title, having last won the men’s competition in 2015.
The U-17 women’s national team, the Flamingos, made history by becoming the first team ever to win the competition after losing their opening match of the tournament. After losing 2–1 to Poland in their opening game, they recovered to beat Puerto Rico 2–0, and the defending champions, North Korea (Korea DPR), 3–1 in their remaining group stage matches.
They went on to defeat Mexico 2–1 in the Round of 16, Venezuela 1-0 in the Quarter-final, Brazil 3-1 in the Semi-final, and Japan 2–1 in the Final, with goals from Awawu Bashiru and Oluebube Umejiaku.
That feat also pitched them with Spain and Argentina both lost their opening matches at a FIFA World Cup competition before going on to win the tournament. Spain lost their opening match (1–0 to Switzerland) at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa before rallying to win the entire tournament. Argentina lost their opening match (2–1 to Saudi Arabia) at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar before bouncing back to claim the trophy.
The Flamingos’ victory in Rabat, Morocco has already made them the first African team to win the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup. With that victory on Saturday night, Nigeria has joined France as the only two nations to win both the men’s and women’s U-17 World Cup titles.
According to FIFA’s records, France were previously the only country to have won both versions of the tournament, having secured the men’s title in 2001, and the women’s trophy in 2012.
Nigeria’s five men’s U-17 World Cup titles
Nigeria’s success in the men’s competition dates back to 1985, when the Golden Eaglets defeated West Germany 2-0 in Beijing to win the inaugural edition of the tournament, then known as the FIFA U-16 World Championship.
The team went on to win the competition four more times, in 1993, 2007, 2013, and 2015.
Its five titles make Nigeria the most successful country in the history of the men’s U-17 World Cup.
The 2013 triumph came after a 3-0 victory over Mexico in the final, while the 2015 team defeated Mali 2-0 in Chile to become the first country to win consecutive editions of the tournament.
France became the first country to win both versions of the competition. The French men’s team won the 2001 FIFA U-17 World Championship in Trinidad and Tobago after defeating Nigeria 3-0 in the final.
Eleven years later, France’s women’s team lifted the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Azerbaijan in 2012. They defeated North Korea 7-6 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in the final to claim their maiden title.
France, therefore, held the distinction of being the only country to have won both competitions until Nigeria’s latest achievement.