FIFA Confirms Nigeria Falconets Squad for 2026 U-20 Women’s World Cup

Moses Aduku will lead a 21-player Nigeria squad featuring a strong representation from the domestic women’s league, alongside two overseas-based players.

FIFA has confirmed Nigeria’s final squad for the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, with the Falconets set to represent the country at the tournament in Poland from 5 to 27 September 2026.

Head coach Moses Aduku has selected 21 players for Nigeria’s campaign, with the squad made up largely of players from clubs in the Nigerian women’s football system.

The squad also includes two overseas-based players: Janet Seimeyeha Akekoromowei, who plays for Portuguese giants SL Benfica, and Amber Ogbolu, the Canada-born forward who plays college football for Oregon State University in the United States.

Nigeria Falconets Squad for Poland 2026

Goalkeepers

Nigeria will head to Poland with three goalkeepers:

• Christiana Uzoma — Edo Queens FC

• Jane Ijirigho — Nasarawa Amazons FC

• Bright Eong Etim — Sunshine Queens FC

Defenders

The defensive unit consists of six players:

• Victory Lucky — Sunshine Queens FC

• Onyedikachi Vivian Ekezie — Abia Angels FC

• Jumai Adebayo — Rivers Angels FC

• Tumininu Fatimoh Adeshina — Edo Queens FC

• Hannah Ayoade Ibrahim — Remo Star Ladies

• Rebecca Folashade Adegbemile — Edo Queens FC

Midfielders

The midfielders consists of:

• Favour Chiamaka Nkwocha — FC Robo Queens

• Kafayat Oluwatosin Mafisere — Edo Queens FC

• Tosin Eguono Rafiu — FC Robo Queens

Forwards

The Falconets’ forward options include:

• Winner Onajite David — Abia Angels FC

• Queen Joseph — Fosla Academy

• Ramotalahi Kareem — Rivers Angels FC

• Chisom Monica Nwachukwu — Rivers Angels FC

• Folajomi Alaba Olabiyi — Bayelsa Queens FC

• Mary Mamudu — Edo Queens FC

• Precious Chiemerie Oscar — Edo Queens FC

• Janet Seimeyeha Akekoromowei — SL Benfica, Portugal

• Amber Ogbolu — Oregon State University, USA

A Note on FIFA’s Positional Classifications

FIFA’s official squad list originally listed five players as midfielders. However, I have adjusted that figure to three in this article based on my knowledge of the players and the positions in which they are primarily used. For example, Rebecca Folashade Adegbemile is a defender, while Amber Ogbolu is a forward, despite both being classified as midfielders on FIFA’s squad list.

This positional breakdown is also worth considering in the context of the Falconets’ late squad changes. Captain Joy Igbokwe and Faridat Abdulwahab were unable to secure their visas and were replaced shortly before the team departed for Poland. Reports from the NFF Communication Department confirmed that the two players missed the team’s departure because of unresolved visa issues, with Vivian Kachi and Alaba Olabiyi brought in as replacements.

The timing of those changes is significant, particularly because Igbokwe is a midfielder and was the team captain. Her late withdrawal meant Nigeria lost one of its midfield options just days before the tournament.

For clarity, this article follows the players’ usual playing positions, rather than reproducing FIFA’s positional classifications word-for-word.

Strong Domestic League Representation

The squad reflects the depth of Nigeria’s domestic women’s football, with players selected from several established clubs.

Edo Queens FC has the largest representation, with multiple players included across the goalkeeping, defensive, midfield and attacking departments.

Other Nigerian clubs represented include Rivers Angels, FC Robo Queens, Sunshine Queens, Abia Angels, Nasarawa Amazons, Bayelsa Queens, Remo Star Ladies and Fosla Academy.

The composition gives Aduku a squad built largely around players who have developed within Nigeria’s domestic football structure.

Akekoromowei and Ogbolu Add International Experience

Two players in the squad are based outside Nigeria.

Janet Seimeyeha Akekoromowei signed with SL Benfica in Portugal few months ago, giving the Falconets an overseas-based option in attack.

The squad also includes Amber Ogbolu, a forward at Oregon State University in the United States.

Ogbolu was born and raised in Canada to Nigerian parents and has chosen to represent Nigeria at youth international level.

Her inclusion adds another interesting dimension to Nigeria’s squad as the Falconets prepare for their World Cup campaign.

Nigeria’s World Cup Campaign

The FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Poland 2026 will take place from 5 to 27 September 2026.

Nigeria has been drawn in Group F, alongside Spain, China PR and New Caledonia.

The Falconets will begin their campaign against Spain on 7 September, before facing New Caledonia and China PR.

With FIFA now confirming the final squad, attention turns to Poland and Nigeria’s quest to make a deep run at the global tournament.

The Falconets have a proud history at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, and Aduku will be hoping this new generation can once again put Nigeria among the leading teams in women’s youth football.

Nigeria Falconets — FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Poland 2026

Head Coach: Moses Aduku
Squad: 21 players
Tournament: FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup
Host: Poland
Dates: 5–27 September 2026
Group: F — Spain, Nigeria, China PR, New Caledonia

Nigeria now heads into the final stretch of preparations with a squad combining domestic talent and international exposure, as the Falconets prepare to take on the world’s best at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup.