Nigeria’s U17 women’s football team, the Flamingos, face a challenging path at the upcoming FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup after being drawn into Group D alongside heavyweights France and Canada, as well as Oceania’s Samoa. The draw took place on Wednesday in Rabat, Morocco, ahead of what promises to be the most competitive edition of the tournament to date.

 

This year’s tournament marks a historic milestone, as it is the first time 24 nations will compete in the global showpiece. The expansion reflects the growing interest and development in women’s youth football since the competition’s inception in New Zealand 17 years ago.

 

The Flamingos, who finished third at the last edition in India in 2022, will look to build on their strong pedigree at this level. However, they will need to be at their best in a group featuring a technically strong French side, a physically dominant Canadian team, and a fast-improving Samoa squad making their tournament debut.

 

Here is the full group breakdown for the 2025 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup:

• Group A: Morocco (hosts), Brazil, Italy, Costa Rica

• Group B: Korea DPR, Mexico, Cameroon, Netherlands

• Group C: United States, Ecuador, China, Norway

• Group D: Nigeria, Canada, France, Samoa

• Group E: Spain, Colombia, Korea Republic, Côte d’Ivoire

• Group F: Japan, New Zealand, Zambia, Paraguay

 

The tournament will showcase emerging talent from across the globe, with traditional powerhouses and new entrants alike aiming to leave their mark.

 

Nigeria’s campaign will begin later this year as the team seeks to better their previous performances and possibly claim their first-ever U17 world title