Nigeria have won the 2026 FIFA Women’s World Cup after securing a 2-1 victory over Japan in the final match of the competition in Morocco on Saturday.
Awawu Basiru and Oliebube Umejiaku scored for the Flamingos while Fuki Ito was on the scoresheet for the Asian country.
Nigeria dominated the first half of the game and were rewarded with a goal in the 39th minute after Bashiru struck a long-range volley which goalkeeper Kou Kadowakin failed to deal with, parrying the ball into her own net.
The Flamingos then got the second goal through an effort from Umejiaka, with the game looking to end without a goal for Japan, Ito scored in the 80th minute. Nigeria then held on to the lead to win their first title in history and thus became the first African side to clinch the trophy.
Road to the final
The Flamingos started the tournament with 2-1 loss to Poland before bouncing back with a 2-1 victory over Puerto Rico and stunning South Korea 3-1 to reach the knockout stage.
Nigeria then saw off Mexico before beating Venezuela 1-0 via a penalty from Azeezat Oduntan in one of the quarterfinal games to secure a date with Brazil. Goals from Queen Joseph and Bashiru ensured Nigeria clinched a place in the final after beating Brazil 3-1 in one of the semifinals.
