Soccer
Nigeria’s Flamingos will face a stern test at the 2025 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup after being drawn in a challenging Group D alongside former champions France, seasoned campaigners Canada, and debutants Samoa, Soccernet.ng reports.
The official draw ceremony for the ninth edition of the tournament took place on Wednesday, 4 June, at the Mohammed VI Football Academy in Rabat — the Moroccan capital that will host all matches from 17 October to 8 November.
France, champions in 2012, are making their fourth appearance and will be seen as a major contender.
Canada, returning for their eighth outing, will be hoping to better their best-ever finish of fourth place in 2018.
Samoa, one of four debutants, booked their ticket through the 2024 OFC U-16 Women’s Championship.
The groups are set for the #U17WWC 2025!
Who will be crowned Champions?
— FIFA Women’s World Cup (@FIFAWWC) June 4, 2025
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Nigeria’s Flamingos draw France and Canada in tricky FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup group
For Nigeria, this marks their seventh appearance at the tournament, having only missed the 2018 edition.
Historically, the Flamingos had struggled to break beyond the quarterfinal stage — falling short in 2010, 2012, and 2014 — but that changed in 2022 when they defeated the USA on penalties after a tense 1–1 draw to reach the semi-finals for the first time.
Nigeria secured their place in Morocco by seeing off Algeria and South Africa in the CAF qualifiers and will be aiming to better their historic third-place finish from two years ago.
The expanded 24-team format makes its debut this year, with six groups in total. The top two teams from each group, along with the four best third-placed sides, will proceed to the Round of 16.
Hosts Morocco headline Group A alongside Brazil, Italy, and Costa Rica, while holders Korea DPR headline Group B. This edition also marks the first time the U-17 Women’s World Cup is being hosted on African soil.
- Group A: Brazil, Costa Rica, Italy, Morocco.
- Group B: Cameroon, Korea DPR, Mexico, Netherlands.
- Group C: China PR, Ecuador, Norway, USA.
- Group D: Canada, France, Nigeria, Samoa.
- Group E: Colombia, Côte d’Ivoire, Korea Republic, Spain.
- Group F: Japan, New Zealand, Paraguay, Zambia.
Imhonlamhen Eronmhonsele
Imhonlamhen Eronmhonsele turns into a ball of passion when writing about Nigerian football and its talents, whether rising stars or established legends, locally and abroad.
From the deepest corners of the Middle East, to the green fields of the Americas, to the celebrated grounds in Europe, and the rich soils of Africa, Imhons is more than glad, usually with a glass of a tasty drink nearby, to capture the essence of the game, by connecting the dots between culture, identity, and football.
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