Nigeria’s women’s football teams are gearing up for significant international challenges, as the Super Falcons and the Flamingos set their sights on World Cup qualification.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) outlined the qualification routes for both teams during draws held on Thursday in Cairo, Egypt, setting the stage for thrilling encounters in the coming years.
Super Falcons begin 2027 World Cup quest
The Super Falcons, nine-time African champions, will start their campaign for a spot at the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in October 2025.
Their journey begins with qualifiers for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), which doubles as the pathway to the World Cup in Brazil.
CAF’s draw for the WAFCON 2026 qualifiers revealed that Nigeria will, following a first round bye, face either Benin Republic or Sierra Leone, who will clash in February 2025, in the second round.
The second-round matches, scheduled for October 2025, will be a two-legged tie.
A win for the Super Falcons will secure their place at the Morocco-hosted WAFCON 2026.
The tournament’s top four teams will then earn tickets to the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil, raising the stakes for every fixture.
Flamingos eye U-17 World Cup qualification
The Flamingos, Nigeria’s U-17 women’s national team, also have a well-defined path to the 2025 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, which will take place in Morocco.
CAF’s draw granted the Flamingos a bye in the first round of qualifiers, allowing them to start their campaign in the second round.
Their qualification journey begins in March 2025, when they face the winner of the first-round tie between South Africa and Gabon.
Success in the second round will take them to the third and final round in April 2025, where Africa’s four representatives will be decided.
Currently competing in the WAFU B U-17 Girls Tournament in Ghana, the Flamingos will look to qualify for another World Cup, hoping to not only participate but to lift the trophy this time.
For the Falconets, the U20 Women's team, they also got a bye into the second round where they will face the winner of the Rwanda and Zimbabwe first round clash.
