Japan vs Nigeria LIVE UPDATES: Flamingos chase historic U-17 World Cup title

Nigeria’s Flamingos are all set to take on Japan in the final of the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup tonight at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Rabat, Morocco.

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The Coach Akeem Busari-led Falmingos team are seeking to win the country’s and indeed the continet’s first-ever title in the competition.

The Nigerian side made history by reaching the final after a remarkable 3-1 victory over Brazil in the semi-finals, guaranteeing at least a silver medal and surpassing their previous best finish of third place in 2022.

Japan, meanwhile, stand between the Flamingos and a historic triumph as both teams pursue their maiden title.

Follow PREMIUM TIMES for live updates, goals and key moments as Nigeria chase their first U-17 Women’s World Cup crown.

Kickoff is 7.30pm

Flamingos retain winning XI, Japan make four changes for final

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Nigeria’s Flamingos have retained the starting XI that defeated Brazil 3-1 in the semi-finals as they prepare to face Japan in the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup final in Rabat, Morocco.

Coach Akeem Busari has kept faith with the team that secured Nigeria’s historic place in the final, with Awawu Bashiru retaining her starting spot after scoring twice against Brazil.

Captain Azeezat Oduntan will continue to lead the defence, while Jane Ijirigho starts in goal.

Japan, meanwhile, have made four changes to the side that drew 1-1 with Korea DPR before advancing 4-1 on penalties.

Wara Shimizu, Sayana Oshita, Rara Higuchi and Yuka Kishida come into the starting XI, replacing Anri Ito, Himari Nishi, Keiko Kitajima and Nanami Kurita.

Nigeria’s starting XI: Jane Ijirigho; Azeezat Oduntan (captain), Ohunene Sunday, Esther Stephen, Kanyinsola Yusuf; Mary Dunstan, Favour Nkwocha, Awawu Bashiru; Queen Joseph, Oluwakemi Adegbuyi, Oluebube Umejiaku.

Substitutes: Onyinyechi Opara, Mercy Felix, Elizabeth Adesuyi, Pattra Oparanmegwa, Muinat Rotimi, Tosin Rafiu, Precious Oscar, Kaosarat Akanji, Chidera Chidi Harmony, Sakirat Sarafa.

Japan’s starting XI: Kou Kadowaki; Wara Shimizu, Honoka Yotsumoto (captain), Sana Morota, Sayana Oshita; Rara Higuchi, Harura Matsushita, Yuka Kishida, Fuki Ito; Mashiro Yamaji, Mei Hanashiro.

Substitutes: Mikan Yamanaka, Riruha Wakatsuki, Anri Ito, Himari Nishi, Asuka Tanaka, Keiko Kitajima, Runa Sumiya, Arisu Ota, Kotone Sato, Nanami Kurita.

The final kicks off at 7:30 p.m. Nigerian time at the Mohammed VI Football Complex, Pitch 3.

All set for kickoff in Rabat.. The national anthems of both countries concluded

Kickoff! Japan gets the game underway in Rabat

Flamingos with a good start trying to use the right side of attack to get an opening goal

Five minutes gone : No clear cut chances yet for both teams

Japan 0-0 Nigeria

Oluwakemi ADEGBUYI (Nigeria) attempts an effort on goal but unsuccessful

Japan are appearing in their fourth FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup final. They previously reached the final in 2010, 2014 and 2016, winning the title in 2014 and finishing runners-up in 2010 and 2016.

The case is different for Nigeria who are competing in their first-ever final. The Flamingos’ previous best performance was a third-place finish in 2022. Making the 2026 final has already secured the country’s best-ever finish at the competition but the Flamingos want the trophy this first time in the final

20 Minutes gone: Japan 0-0 Nigeria

Going into the final, Japan have scored 14 goals and conceded two, keeping four clean sheets. Nigeria have scored 12 goals, conceded five and kept two clean sheets

Fine chance for Nigeria but Oluebube fluffs it for Flamingos and Queen Joseph’s follow up effort whistles off the target

Flamingos win their first corner kick in the 29th minute .. the Japanese have taken care of the danger

We are on the half-hour mark, though the Flamingos have created the better chances, the game is still barren

Japan 0-0 Nigeria FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Final

Rasheedat Ajibade, Chiamaka Nnadozie are some of Nigeria’s former Flamingos players that have gone on to blossom, this present set of Flamingos also have a great number of talent waiting to conquer the world

Free kick for Nigeria..

Fans chanting “inside the net” and that was close as the Flamingos rattle the crossbar with their effort

GOAL! Flamingos get the breakthrough Awawu with a long range effort spilled by the Japanese Goalkeeper

Japan 0-1 Nigeria

Third goal for Awawu Bashiru at this tournament… She scored twice in the semi final and now has the opening goal in the final

Only Korea DPR have had more attempts on goal than Nigeria’s Flamingos at this tournament… The Naija girls have been outstanding

One minute added time as the first half gradually winds down

Half Time: Japan 0-1 Nigeria

Awawu Bashiru with the only goal so far …

The Flamingos have one hand on the trophy for now, can they complete the job in the second half?

GOAL!! Blistering to start to the second half by the Flamingos

Oluebube UMEJIAKU doubles the lead for Nigeria

Japan 0-2 Nigeria

A classy finish as she tips the ball over the on rushing Japanese Goalkeeper… Flamingos on course to make history as first African team to win the U-17 Women’s World Cup

The Falmingos have scored a total of 14 goals in the tournament in Morocco… They are flying higher

Both the CAF President Patrice Motsepe and FIFA President Gianni Infantino are watching from the stands as the Flamingos are moving closer to an historic title tonight

58 Minutes Japan 0-2 Nigeria

Triple substitutions by Japan as the are desperate to claw their way back in this final match

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Tunde Eludini

Tunde Eludini is a graduate of the Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife, Nigeria where he studied International Relations. He is a Senior Correspondent coordinating the sports section for PREMIUM TIMES. Twitter: @tundeyeludini

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