Nigeria’s Flamingos have been drawn in Group A of the 2024 U17 FIFA Women’s World Cup. The West Africans are one of 16 teams who will be vying to be crowned champions of the global showpiece.
Bankole Olowookere’s side were paired in the same group with hosts Dominican Republic, Ecuador and New Zealand during Saturday’s draw in Santo Domingo.
The Flamingos were dominant during the qualifying campaign, where they defeated the Central African Republic (CAR) 12-0 on aggregate and recorded another 7-1 aggregate victory over Burkina Faso before a 6-1 aggregate win against Liberia saw them qualify for a seventh World Cup.
Having finished third in the last edition of the tournament in 2022, Olowookere and his side will be aiming to go one step further, with Africa still yet to produce a world champion at this level. The Flamingos are favourites to advance from their group, though, having reached the knockout stage in four out of their six participations in the U17 Women’s World Cup.
Kenya and Zambia join Nigeria as Africa's reps at U17 World Cup
While Nigeria are undoubtedly the most successful African team at the U17 level, Kenya and Zambia will be the continent’s other representatives in the tournament.
Kenya’s Junior Starlets are making their debut at the World Cup but find themselves in a difficult group that contains England, Mexico and two-time world champions Korea DPR. Zambia will also have to navigate their way past their Group D opponents, which consist of Brazil, Poland and Japan.
Meanwhile, defending champions Spain are in Group C, alongside the USA, South Korea and Colombia, and would be aiming to achieve a three-peat after winning the last two editions of the World Cup.
The U17 Women’s World Cup will take place in the Dominican Republic from October 16 to November 3.
See the full draw below.
Group A: Dominican Republic, Ecuador, New Zealand, Nigeria
Group B: Spain, USA, South Africa, Columbia
Group C: Korea DPR, Mexico, Kenya, England
Group D: Japan, Poland, Brazil, Zambia
