Nigeria vs North Korea U17: Flamingos World Cup Preview, Kick-off Time, Projected Line-ups and How to Watch

• Fixture: Nigeria U17 vs North Korea U17

• Competition: 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup

• Stage: Group B, Matchday 3

• Date: Friday, 23 October 2026

• Venue: Mohammed VI Football Complex, Pitch 1, Rabat, Morocco

• Kick-off: 4pm Nigerian Time

• Nigeria head coach: Akeem Busari

• North Korea head coach: Ji Yun-nam

Flamingos face defending champions in decisive group match

Nigeria’s Flamingos face a difficult test against North Korea as both teams prepare for their final Group B match at the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco.

North Korea enter the fixture as defending champions after winning the 2025 edition, having also lifted the trophy in 2008, 2016 and 2024. The Asian side are chasing a fifth title, while Nigeria are seeking to improve on their best finish of third place in 2022.

Both nations are making their ninth appearances at the competition, having first participated in 2008. However, their tournament histories have taken different paths, with North Korea establishing themselves as one of the competition’s most successful teams.

The Flamingos will need a strong performance against a side that has scored 12 goals in its first two matches.

How both teams have performed at the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup

Nigeria

Nigeria began their campaign with a 2–1 defeat to Poland on 17 October. Poland took the lead through a Skrzypczak penalty in the 33rd minute before Skrok doubled their advantage in the 65th minute. Oluebube Umejiaku pulled one back for Nigeria in the 79th minute, but the Flamingos could not find an equaliser.

Nigeria responded with a 2–0 victory over Puerto Rico on 20 October. Oluwakemi Adegbuyi opened the scoring in the 25th minute, while Precious Oscar sealed the win in stoppage time. The victory took Nigeria to three points after two matches and kept their qualification hopes firmly alive.

North Korea

North Korea opened their title defence with a commanding 6–0 win over Puerto Rico on 17 October. Yu Jong-hyang scored twice, as did Kim Won-sim, while Ri Ui-gyong and Ri Ye-rim also found the net.

They followed that result with another emphatic performance, beating Poland 6–1 on 20 October. Ri Ye-rim, Yu Jong-hyang, Kim Won-sim and Ri Ui-gyong were among the scorers, while Poland’s only goal came from Gałuszka. The two victories gave North Korea six points and 12 goals from their opening two fixtures.

Group B standings before the final fixtures

1. North Korea U-17: 6 pts (GD +11)

2. Poland U-17: 3 pts (GD -4)

3. Nigeria Flamingos: 3 pts (GD +1)

4. Puerto Rico U-17: 0 pts (GD -8)

Nigeria’s qualification permutations

Nigeria’s result against North Korea will determine their final Group B position, while Poland’s result against Puerto Rico could also prove decisive.

A win will guarantee Nigeria’s qualification for the knockout stage. However, if Poland also defeat Puerto Rico, all three teams could finish on six points. In that scenario, their results against one another would determine the final standings, with head-to-head goal difference potentially deciding who finishes top.

A draw would take Nigeria to four points, leaving the Flamingos with a chance of finishing second if Poland lose to Puerto Rico. If Poland draw or win, Nigeria would finish third and would likely need to secure a place among the four best third-placed teams.

A defeat would leave Nigeria on three points, meaning their qualification hopes could depend on results in other groups and the ranking of third-placed teams. Avoiding a heavy loss would be important because overall goal difference could become a deciding factor.

The margin of victory could therefore be significant if Nigeria win and Poland also collect three points.

Head-to-head: Nigeria vs North Korea

Nigeria and North Korea have met twice previously at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, with one victory apiece.

5 September 2010

Nigeria 3–2 North Korea

• Nigeria: Ngozi Okobi (3', 79'), Francisca Ordega (77')

• North Korea: Kim Su-gyong (28'), Kim Kum-jong (58')

Nigeria won the encounter 3–2, with Okobi scoring twice and Ordega adding the other goal.

8 October 2016

North Korea 3–0 Nigeria

• North Korea: Ri Hae-yon (30', 45', 83')

North Korea responded with a 3–0 victory in their 2016 meeting, with Ri Hae-yon scoring all three goals.

Previous meetings at the tournament

• Matches: 2

• Nigeria wins: 1

• North Korea wins: 1

• Draws: 0

The historical record is evenly balanced, although the meetings took place several years apart and involved different generations of players.

North Korea players to watch

Kim Won-sim

Kim Won-sim has scored four goals in North Korea’s first two matches, making her one of the tournament’s leading attacking threats.

She scored twice against Puerto Rico and added two more goals against Poland. Nigeria’s defence will need to limit her space and prevent her from receiving the ball in dangerous areas.

Yu Jong-hyang

Yu Jong-hyang has also scored four goals in two matches. The forward scored twice against Puerto Rico and twice against Poland, demonstrating her importance to North Korea’s attack.

Yu also arrives as one of the team’s most recognisable players after winning the Golden Ball and Golden Boot at the 2025 edition. Her movement, finishing and ability to influence matches make her a major threat to the Flamingos.

Nigeria player to watch: Oluwakemi Adegbuyi

Oluwakemi Adegbuyi could be instrumental for Nigeria after earning the Player of the Match award in the Flamingos’ 2–0 victory over Puerto Rico. The Robo Queens forward scored Nigeria’s opening goal in the 25th minute before Precious Oscar added a second in stoppage time.

Adegbuyi’s goal and overall contribution helped Nigeria recover from their opening defeat to Poland. Her attacking threat could be important against North Korea, particularly if Nigeria are to take advantage of the opportunities they create.

The Flamingos will need their forwards to be clinical against a North Korean side that has conceded only once in its first two group matches.

Projected starting line-ups

These are projected line-ups based on previous matches and are not confirmed team selections.

Nigeria U17 (projected 4-2-3-1)

Jane Ijirigho; Azeezat Oduntan, Ohunene Sunday, Esther Stephen, Kanyinsola Yusuf; Mary Dunstan, Favour Nkwocha; Tosin Rafiu, Queen Joseph, Chidera Chidi; Oluwakemi Adegbuyi.

North Korea U17 (projected 4-4-2)

Kim Son-gyong; Song Won-yong, Pak Kyong-ryong, Ri Pok-rim, Kim Ju-gyong; Ri Ye-rim, Eh Chong-gum, Ri Kyong-im, Ri Ui-gyong; Kim Won-sim, Yu Jong-hyang.

What Nigeria must do

Nigeria must remain organised defensively against a North Korean side that has scored 12 goals in two matches. The Flamingos will also need to make their attacking opportunities count, with Adegbuyi and the other forwards expected to play important roles.

The immediate objective is to secure qualification. If Poland also win, Nigeria’s margin of victory could determine whether the Flamingos finish above North Korea in the three-team head-to-head comparison.

For the Flamingos, this is an opportunity to test themselves against the defending champions and secure a place in the knockout stage.

Nigeria vs North Korea: How to watch live

Nigerian fans should check FIFA+ and DAZN for live coverage of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup. Streaming availability may vary by territory, so viewers should confirm that the match is accessible in Nigeria before kick-off.

Fans can also follow match updates, starting line-ups, goals and post-match reaction through Ademola Sports.

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