How Nigeria, others set fresh records at FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup

DPR Korea were odds-on favourites to achieve something nations from all four corners of the globe had chased for almost a century. They were destined for a FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup™ three-peat, and to become the first nation to clinch a global 11-a-side FIFA title three times on the bounce.

They entered their Group B finale with Nigeria off the back of six-goal wins over Puerto Rico and Poland knowing a point would guarantee top spot and take their unbeaten run at this event to a record-equalling 19th match.

But the champions-in-waiting were shellshocked by champions-in-the-making, as Nigeria produced a stunning 3-1 win.

Coach Akeem Busari referred to his players as ‘gladiators’ throughout Morocco 2026, and in the very land where Ridley Scott’s 2000 epic was filmed, his side produced a blockbuster performance to light a title flame which burned until the end.

Flamingos take flight

Nigeria lost their opener versus Poland which, to many, was case closed on the title ambitions Busari rode into these finals. After all, none of the nine nations to win the trophy had done so after losing their first game. They then toiled to a 2-0 win over Puerto Rico, before producing their tournament-shaking reverse of DPR Korea.

Mexico were next to be comfortably swept aside, before they edged Venezuela courtesy of an 89th-minute Azeezat Oduntan penalty. Brazil was arguably their finest display, as Busari’s charges rained 35 shots on the Seleção’s goal in a commanding 3-1 victory to take them to a maiden showpiece.

Only Japan stood in the way of Nigeria and glory. Two players who begun the tournament on the bench stood up to be counted, as Awawu Bashiru netted a first-half opener, before Oluebube Umejiaku dinked home a stunning second to carry the Flamingos to a 2-1 win.

For Nigeria and their star performers, it wasn’t about how they started, but how they finished.

Two all-time records went in the space of one game on matchday three. USA beat Samoa 17-0 to record the biggest victory by any nation at an 11-a-side FIFA tournament, eclipsing the previous record victory of 16-0 by Morocco against New Caledonia at the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025™. Maddie DiMaria bagged six in that match, breaking the tournament’s single-match scoring record in the process.

“I feel super, super excited and grateful just to be in this place,” DiMaria told FIFA at the time. “I don’t think I would be here, have been able to do it, without my team-mates. Going out there, our goal is to just give it our best and I think we totally did that.”

DiMaria would scoop the adidas Golden Boot as the tournament’s top markswoman with 12 goals – the most by any player at a FIFA women’s event.

The day after DiMaria’s six-goal showing, DPR Korea forward Yu Jong-hyang joined the record trail. She scored twice against Poland to add to a brace against Puerto Rico. That moved her up to a dozen U-17 Women’s World Cup goals in total – she netted eight at last year’s tournament – and beyond long-time record holder Deyna Castellanos. She ended the tournament with a remarkable all-time tally of 16.

In total, a stunning 205 goals were scored across the 52 matches, smashing the previous record of 175 set during Morocco 2025.

Penalty-shootout stars

In total, four shootouts took place at Morocco 2026, with each providing a spot-kick heroine.

Ghana defeated Argentina in the first, with Jessica Appiah – who scored in the 1-1 draw – notching the Black Maidens’ fifth kick to take them to the quarter-finals.

Brazil joined them following a shootout with Poland which the Seleção led 8-7 before Nathy got down well to foil Nicola Galuszka. “I’m still absolutely buzzing,” she told FIFA. “All I can do is thank God for giving me the talent to be here.”

Most dramatic, though, was Japan’s semi-final win over DPR Korea. A last-gasp own goal took the Japanese to spot-kicks, where Kou Kadowaki – who kept a joint-best four clean sheets at the finals – was the star, repelling Eh Chong-gum’s effort before Asuka Tanaka battered home the winner.

“I went into the shootout focusing on getting into my own rhythm,” Kadowaki stated. “I managed to read the direction of the shot and make the save, so I was really happy that I could contribute to the team’s victory.”

For the first time in global finals history, Puerto Rico had a part to play. They couldn’t have asked for a much tougher curtain-raiser against DPR Korea, and duly fell 6-0 against the two-time reigning champions.

Their next match with Nigeria, however, was much tighter, and the Flamingos were indebted to goalkeeper Jane Ijirigho for keeping them in front before Promise Oscar added a late settler.

“It feels incredible to represent the island and to be the first player in history to score [at a World Cup],” the teenager said. “We played really well throughout the tournament, played some tough teams and did the best we could.”