Nigeria draws Spain, China, New Caledonia in Group F of 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup

By Harry Awurumibe, Editor-in-Chief, Abuja                                                                                                                                                                                            Nigeria’s intermediate women’s football team Falconets have been drawn in a tough group in the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup slated for Poland as the team has been pitched against former champions Spain, China PR, and debutants New Caledonia.

The draw for the 12th edition of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup was conducted in Lodz on Thursday, setting the stage for the tournament scheduled to run from September 5 to 27 in four cities in Poland

Nigeria, one of Africa’s most successful teams at the competition, will face a stern opening-round test against European powerhouse Spain, which won the title in Costa Rica in 2022. China PR also brings a considerable pedigree to the group, while New Caledonia will be making their maiden appearance at the global finals.

The Falconets will be hoping to improve on their performance at the last edition and rekindle memories of their best outings when they reached the final in 2010 and 2014.

Hosts Poland headline Group A alongside Argentina, Benin Republic, Mexico, while defending champions Korea DPR begin their title defence in Group E against Colombia, Costa Rica and Portugal.

Other intriguing group-stage fixtures include Brazil, England, Canada and Tanzania in Group B, while France, Korea Republic, Ghana and Ecuador make up Group C. Group D features former champions Japan and USA alongside New Zealand and Italy.

The full draw is as follows:

Group A: Poland, Mexico, Argentina, Benin
Group B: Brazil, England, Canada, Tanzania
Group C: France, Korea Republic, Ghana, Ecuador
Group D: Japan, USA, New Zealand, Italy
Group E: Korea DPR, Colombia, Costa Rica, Portugal
Group F: Spain, Nigeria, China PR, New Caledonia
The tournament will mark Poland’s first major global women’s football event, with matches to be played in Bielsko-Biała, Katowice, Lodz, and Sosnowiec.

Meanwhile, six countries, namely Benin Republic, Ecuador, New Caledonia, Poland, Portugal, and Tanzania, will make their debut appearances, while Korea DPR and the USA are both chasing a record fourth title.