Nigeria vs New Caledonia: Falconets FIFA U-20 World Cup Match Preview, Kick-off Time & How to Watch Live

The Nigeria Falconets will face New Caledonia on Sunday, 13 September, in their final Group F fixture at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Poland 2026, with a place in the knockout stage at stake.

Nigeria currently sit third in Group F with one point from two matches after losing 2–0 to Spain before playing out a goalless draw with China PR. New Caledonia are bottom without a point after suffering heavy defeats to China PR and Spain.

Nigeria vs New Caledonia: Match Details

📅 Date: Sunday, 13 September 2026
🕔 Kick-off: 2:00pm WAT / 3:00pm local time
📍 Venue: Stadion Miejski ŁKS, Łódź, Poland
🏆 Competition: FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup 2026
📌 Group: F, Matchday 3

New Caledonia Making History

New Caledonia are appearing at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup for the first time. They became the first New Caledonian women's team to qualify for a FIFA women's tournament after finishing runners-up at the 2025 OFC U-19 Women’s Championship.

They defeated Fiji 2–0 in the semi-final to secure qualification before losing 3–0 to New Zealand in the final. The tournament in Poland therefore represents a historic first for New Caledonian women's football.

Their first two matches, however, have been extremely difficult.

New Caledonia's Tough Start

New Caledonia lost 5–0 to China PR in their opening game before suffering an 11–0 defeat to Spain.

Against Spain, New Caledonia conceded 11 goals and were unable to register a single shot, while Spain recorded 67 attempts, including 34 on target. Spain also completed 538 of 588 passes, compared with just 35 completed passes from New Caledonia's 110 attempts.

Interestingly, New Caledonia recorded 379 pressing actions to Spain's 37 and forced 33 turnovers compared with Spain's 29. The problem was that their defensive pressure did not translate into attacking opportunities. They also attempted 91 line breaks but completed only 13.

New Caledonia have now conceded 16 goals without scoring in their first two matches.

Falconets Need a Result

Nigeria enter the game with one point after a 2–0 defeat to Spain and a 0–0 draw against China PR.

The draw with China showed some encouraging numbers. Nigeria completed 277 of 390 passes, a 71 per cent completion rate, compared with China's 62 per cent. The Falconets also completed 91 line breaks compared with China's 71 and completed nine defensive-line breaks compared with China's five.

Nigeria won seven corners to China's two and attempted 19 crosses, although only one was completed.

However, the Falconets managed only one shot on target from 10 attempts. That attacking efficiency will need to improve against New Caledonia.

Current Group F Standings

Spain are already through to the Round of 16 after winning both matches and scoring 13 goals without conceding. China PR are second with four points, while Nigeria have one point and New Caledonia are yet to open their account.

Group F

1. 🇪🇸 Spain - 6 pts, GD +13

2. 🇨🇳 China PR - 4 pts, GD +5

3. 🇳🇬 Nigeria - 1 pt, GD -2

4. 🇳🇨 New Caledonia - 0 pts, GD -16

The top two teams in each group, together with the four best third-placed teams across the 6 groups, advance to the knockout stage.

What Nigeria Need

A victory would take Nigeria to four points and put the Falconets firmly in contention for the Round of 16.

If China PR defeat Spain, China would finish top of the group with seven points and Nigeria would have to settle for third regardless of the margin.

If China and Spain draw, China would finish on five points and Nigeria would finish second with four.

If Spain defeat China, China would remain on four points. A win for Nigeria would also take the Falconets to four points, setting up a potential battle for second place on goal difference. China currently have a +5 goal difference, while Nigeria are on -2. If Spain win by one goal, China would drop to +4, meaning Nigeria would need to win by at least six goals to draw level on goal difference, with goals scored then becoming the next tiebreaker. That means the Falconets must focus first on getting the three points and then wait for the result between China PR and Spain.

Nigeria can also advance as one of the four best third-placed teams. The current third-placed table shows that four points is already a competitive total, a 1-0 victory ensures Nigeria advance to the Round of 16.

Expected Battle

On paper, Nigeria enter the match as favourites given New Caledonia's results and defensive record at the tournament.

However, the Falconets cannot afford to approach the game casually.

New Caledonia's heavy pressing against Spain showed that they are capable of working aggressively without the ball. Nigeria will need to move the ball quickly, exploit the wide areas and, most importantly, become more clinical in front of goal.

The Falconets have already shown against China that they can progress the ball and break defensive lines. The next step is converting that territorial and technical advantage into goals.

With their World Cup campaign on the line, this is a match Nigeria must win.

Projected Nigeria Squad

Nigeria will be without Precious Oscar, who is suspended for the New Caledonia match after accumulating yellow cards during the group stage.

Projected XI

Goalkeeper:
1 Christiana Uzoma (c)

Defence:
3 Victory Lucky, 4 Onyedikachi Ekezie, 13 Rebecca Adegbemile, 7 Jumai Adebayo

Midfield:
10 Kafayat Mafisere, 12 Tosin Rafiu, 2 Favour Nkwocha

Attack:
6 Queen Joseph, 14 Mary Mamudu, 18 Janet Akekoromowei

Available substitutes

Nigeria could have Jane Ijirigho, Bright Effiong Etim, Tumininu Adeshina, Ramotalahi Kareem, Amber Ogbolu, Winner Onajite David, Folajomi Olabiyi and Chisom Nwachukwu available from the bench.

Unavailable: Hannah Ibrahim (injured), Precious Oscar (suspended)

Head coach: Moses Aduku
Assistants: Abdullahi Mansur, Efioanwan Ekpo

Projected New Caledonia Squad

New Caledonia's projected lineup against Nigeria Falconets.

Projected XI

Goalkeeper:
1 Elizabeth Aben

Defence:
2 Léana Hmae (c), 4 Kenza Kenon, 5 Shirley Wenessia, 13 Emmanuelle Buama, 18 Louane Pocoue

Midfield:
6 Kheimera Gondou, 12 Matha Bako

Attack:
7 Aziliz Naaoutchoue, 11 Kané Dralu, 14 Joyce Angexetine

Available substitutes

New Caledonia's available options include Julia Honakoko, Joceline Kourevi, Valérie Ngazo, Lili Waheo, Muneiko Waheo, Kélia Golitin, Laurenda Simane, Alesié Adjou and Deyanera Michel.

Head coach: Léon Waitronyie
Assistant: Nadia Wathe

Final lineups are subject to confirmation when the official team sheets are released and will be shared on AdemolaSports.com an hour before the game.

Nigeria Falconets Possible Opponents if they advance to the next round.
If the Falconets finish second in the group, they will face England in the Round of 16. If they qualify as one of the best third-placed teams, they could face either France or Italy.

Nigeria vs New Caledonia: How to Watch Live

Nigerian fans looking to watch the Falconets' third game at the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup can follow the tournament through FIFA+ on DAZN, which is carrying the competition in selected territories. Match availability may vary depending on broadcasting rights in individual territories.

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