Nigeria vs Venezuela U17: Flamingos Preview, How to Watch Live, Predicted XI | 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup
Nigeria’s Flamingos face Venezuela in the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup quarter-finals as they target a return to the semi-finals and a historic fourth win in regular time at a single edition of the tournament.
Nigeria’s Flamingos face Venezuela in the quarter-finals of the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup on Sunday, 1 November, with both teams targeting a place in the semi-finals in Morocco.
Nigeria head into the encounter after consecutive victories over Puerto Rico, DPR Korea and Mexico, while Venezuela booked their quarter-final place by eliminating Germany, who had won all three of their group-stage matches.
The Flamingos have now equalled their best tally of three wins in a single edition of the tournament. Victory over Venezuela would give Nigeria a record fourth win in regular time at one edition of the competition and take them to the semi-finals for the first time since 2022.
The match will take place at the Mohammed VI Football Complex, Pitch 4, in Rabat, with kick-off scheduled for 7:00 pm Nigerian time (6:00 pm in Morocco).
Nigeria vs Venezuela: Match Details
Competition: FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup 2026
Round: Quarter-finals
Fixture: Nigeria vs Venezuela
Date: Sunday, 1 November 2026
Kick-off: 7:00 pm WAT (6:00 pm Morocco time)
Venue: Mohammed VI Football Complex, Pitch 4, Rabat, Morocco
Nigeria coach: Akeem Busari
Venezuela coach: Dayana Frias
Referee: OH Hyeonjeong
The winner will face either China PR or Brazil in the semi-finals.
How Nigeria Reached the Quarter-Finals
Nigeria began their Group B campaign with a 2-1 defeat to Poland. Wiktoria Skrzypczak converted a penalty in the 33rd minute before Natalia Skrok doubled Poland’s lead in the 65th minute. Oluebube Umejiaku pulled one back for Nigeria in the 79th minute, assisted by Kanyinsola Yusuf, but the Flamingos could not find an equaliser.
They responded with a 2-0 victory over Puerto Rico. Oluwakemi Adegbuyi opened the scoring in the 25th minute following an assist from Queen Joseph, while Precious Oscar sealed the win in stoppage time after being set up by Umejiaku.
Nigeria then defeated defending champions DPR Korea 3-1 to secure their place in the knockout stage.
Adegbuyi opened the scoring in the 15th minute, with Mary Dunstan providing the assist. Umejiaku doubled Nigeria’s advantage in the 38th minute following a pass from Tosin Rafiu, while Yusuf added a third in the 56th minute. DPR Korea’s Yu Jong Hyang converted a penalty in the 82nd minute, but Nigeria held on for the victory.
Nigeria finished Group B with six points, scoring six goals and conceding four.
The Flamingos continued their progress with a 2-1 victory over Mexico in the Round of 16. Umejiaku opened the scoring in the 40th minute before Dunstan doubled Nigeria’s lead in the 71st minute. Emily Delgado pulled one back for Mexico deep into stoppage time, but Nigeria advanced to the quarter-finals.
The win was significant for another reason. Nigeria equalled their best tally of three wins in a single edition of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, matching their campaigns in 2010, 2014 and 2024.
A victory over Venezuela would take them to four wins in regular time at Morocco 2026 for the first time.
How Venezuela Reached the Quarter-Finals
Venezuela finished third in Group D with three points from three matches, recording one win and two defeats.
They began their campaign with a 2-0 defeat to France before recovering to beat Zambia 3-2 in a dramatic encounter.
Zambia took the lead through Elizabeth Mofya in the fourth minute, but Ariana Ojeda equalised for Venezuela in the 13th minute. Grace Phiri restored Zambia’s advantage in the 54th minute before Orliany Durán levelled the score in the 63rd minute.
Andrea Suárez then scored the decisive goal in the 90th minute of stoppage time to give Venezuela their only group-stage victory.
Their final group match ended in a 2-0 defeat to Japan, leaving Venezuela dependent on the best third-placed-team standings to reach the Round of 16.
They subsequently produced one of the tournament’s notable results by defeating Germany 1-0 on 28 October.
Germany had won all three of their group matches to finish top of Group E with nine points. However, Venezuela scored early through Diana Bravo in the fifth minute and protected their advantage to eliminate the European side.
The victory demonstrated Venezuela’s ability to compete against a strong opponent, even after a difficult group campaign.
Nigeria must therefore avoid underestimating their opponents because of their third-place finish. Venezuela have already shown that they can take an early opportunity and defend their advantage against a team that had been unbeaten in the group stage.
Venezuela’s World Cup History
Venezuela first appeared at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in 2010, when they exited in the group stage.
They missed the 2012 edition before returning in 2014, when they reached the semi-finals and finished fourth. Venezuela also participated in 2016 but did not qualify for the 2018, 2022 and 2024 editions.
Their return to the quarter-finals in Morocco 2026 represents another opportunity to progress beyond the group stage and challenge for a place in the last four.
Their victory over Germany has also given the team confidence ahead of their meeting with Nigeria.
Nigeria vs Venezuela: Head-to-Head Record
Nigeria and Venezuela have never met at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup before.
Sunday’s quarter-final will therefore be their first meeting in the competition.
Without a previous World Cup encounter between the two sides to draw on, their performances in Morocco provide the clearest indication of what to expect.
Nigeria have scored eight goals and conceded four across their four matches, while Venezuela have scored four and conceded six across their group-stage and Round of 16 matches.
The figures reflect Nigeria’s stronger attacking output, although Venezuela’s victory over Germany shows that their results cannot be judged by goals scored and conceded alone.
Players to Watch
Nigeria: Oluebube Umejiaku
Umejiaku has been one of Nigeria’s important attacking players in Morocco. She scored against Poland and DPR Korea before finding the net against Mexico in the Round of 16.
She also assisted Precious Oscar’s goal against Puerto Rico, demonstrating her ability to contribute beyond scoring.
Her movement and finishing could be important against a Venezuelan defence that successfully protected its lead against Germany.
Nigeria: Mary Dunstan
Dunstan scored Nigeria’s second goal against Mexico, helping the Flamingos secure their place in the quarter-finals.
She also provided the assist for Adegbuyi’s opening goal against DPR Korea, underlining her contribution to Nigeria’s attacking play.
Her ability to influence matches through both scoring and creating chances makes her another player Venezuela must monitor.
Nigeria: Oluwakemi Adegbuyi
Adegbuyi scored against Puerto Rico and opened the scoring against DPR Korea.
Her contributions during the group stage gave Nigeria another attacking option, and her movement could help create openings if Venezuela adopt a defensive approach.
Nigeria: Jane Ijirigho
Goalkeeper Jane Ijirigho was instrumental in Nigeria’s 2-1 victory over Mexico.
Standing at 1.92 metres, she is the tallest player at the tournament, according to FIFA. She made important saves against Mexico captain Citlalli Reyes and later tipped Kemberly Garcia’s long-range effort onto the crossbar.
Her performance helped Nigeria preserve their advantage before Mexico scored late in the match.
Ijirigho will need to maintain that level against Venezuela, particularly if the South Americans create chances while attempting to exploit opportunities in the final third.
Venezuela: Diana Bravo
Bravo scored the decisive goal against Germany in the fifth minute, sending Venezuela into the quarter-finals.
Her early strike proved crucial in a match where Venezuela successfully protected their lead against the Group E winners.
Nigeria will need to remain alert to her threat, especially during the opening stages.
Venezuela: Andrea Suárez
Suárez scored Venezuela’s late winner against Zambia, securing their only group-stage victory.
Her goal demonstrated Venezuela’s ability to remain competitive deep into a match, and Nigeria will need to maintain concentration until the final whistle.
Venezuela: Valeria Rebanales
Goalkeeper and captain Valeria Rebanales is another important figure in Venezuela’s campaign.
Although she was sent off late in the group-stage victory over Zambia, Venezuela subsequently kept a clean sheet against Germany to secure their place in the quarter-finals.
Nigeria will need to make effective use of their attacking opportunities against a side that has already shown its ability to defend a narrow advantage.
Tactical Preview: Where the Match Could Be Decided
Nigeria will take confidence from their victories over DPR Korea and Mexico, but maintaining that level will be essential against Venezuela.
The Flamingos have scored eight goals in four matches, with contributions from several attacking players. Their ability to find the net through different players gives Busari options as he prepares for the quarter-final.
Venezuela, meanwhile, have demonstrated that they can defend effectively when protecting a lead. Their 1-0 victory over Germany was built around an early goal and the ability to prevent the opposition from equalising.
One key battle will be Nigeria’s ability to break down Venezuela if the South Americans adopt a cautious approach. The Flamingos must move the ball effectively, create space and avoid forcing passes into crowded areas.
The opening goal could be particularly important. Venezuela scored in the fifth minute against Germany and managed to preserve their advantage. If they take the lead against Nigeria, the Flamingos may have to deal with a compact defence while searching for an equaliser.
Nigeria must also remain organised when possession is lost. Venezuela’s victory over Germany shows that they can punish opponents who allow them opportunities to take control of a match.
At the other end, Umejiaku, Dunstan and Adegbuyi could be influential if Nigeria create clear chances. Ijirigho’s performance will also matter if Venezuela manage to threaten the Nigerian goal.
The team that handles the key moments more effectively could secure a place in the semi-finals.
Nigeria vs Venezuela: Predicted Flamingos Starting XI
Nigeria’s official starting line-up has not been confirmed. The following is a prediction based on the formation used during the tournament and the players who have featured prominently in Nigeria’s campaign.
Predicted Nigeria XI (4-3-3):
Jane Ijirigho; Azeezat Oduntan, Ohunene Sunday, Esther Stephen, Kanyinsola Yusuf; Favour Nkwocha, Mary Dunstan, Tosin Rafiu; Queen Joseph, Oluebube Umejiaku, Oluwakemi Adegbuyi.
This is a predicted line-up, not a confirmed team selection. Busari could make adjustments depending on player fitness, tactical requirements and the approach he intends to take against Venezuela.
Chidera Chidi and Precious Oscar are among the alternative attacking options available to Nigeria.
Venezuela’s official starting XI should be confirmed closer to kick-off.
Prediction: Nigeria vs Venezuela
This quarter-final presents Nigeria with an opportunity to reach the semi-finals for the first time since their bronze-medal campaign in 2022.
The Flamingos will take confidence from their consecutive victories over DPR Korea and Mexico, while Venezuela arrive after eliminating Germany, one of the strongest teams in the group stage.
Nigeria’s attacking output gives them reason to be optimistic, but Venezuela have shown that they can defend a lead and frustrate opponents. The Flamingos will need patience in possession, defensive discipline and effective finishing.
Venezuela should not be underestimated, but Nigeria have demonstrated their ability to respond after setbacks and produce important results.
Prediction: Nigeria to win narrowly.
A victory would send the Flamingos into the semi-finals and give them a historic fourth win in regular time at a single edition of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
The opportunity is there for Nigeria, but they must deliver another disciplined performance to take it.
How to Watch Nigeria U17 vs Venezuela U17 Live
The FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup quarter-final between Nigeria and Venezuela is scheduled for Sunday, 1 November 2026, at 7:00 pm Nigerian time.
FIFA has made matches from the tournament available to stream free through FIFA+, with availability depending on the viewer’s territory.
Fans can check the match listing on DAZN’s FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup competition page to find the available stream for their location.
Viewers should confirm local availability before kick-off. Follow the Victor Ademola WhatsApp channel for live updates during the tournament.
#AdemolaSports
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