Falconets arrive Poland for U-20 Women’s World Cup

By Amaechi Agbo        

Nigeria’s Falconets have arrived in Poland ahead of the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup. The 21-player squad, led by head coach Moses Aduku, safely landed in the European nation on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, following a successful departure from Abuja the night prior.

The team checked into the Hotel Trzebnica in the city of Trzebnica. The Falconets will use the base camp until September 3 to acclimatise to the local weather, refine their technical strategies, and build full match fitness.

Nigeria’s U20 Women’s National Team, the Falconets, concluded their final camping and preparations ahead of the 2026 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup in Poland, with the team scheduled to depart Nigeria for Poland on the night of Monday, 24th August 2026.

The two-time World Cup silver medallists secured their place at the global tournament following a successful qualifying campaign against Rwanda, Senegal and Malawi. They defeated Rwanda 5–0 on aggregate, overcame Senegal 3–1 on aggregate, and sealed their World Cup ticket against Malawi with a 3–2 aggregate victory.

Following their qualification, the team embarked on an intensive final phase of preparation in Abuja, with emphasis on physical fitness, tactical discipline, teamwork and mental readiness.

Head Coach Moses Aduku expressed confidence in the squad, saying the players have been adequately prepared both physically and mentally and are ready to compete at the highest level. He added that the Falconets are heading to Poland with a strong winning mentality and the ambition of challenging for the trophy.

Captain Joy Igbokwe also assured Nigerians of the team’s determination to make the country proud. She appealed to Nigerians to continue believing in, praying for and supporting the team, saying the Falconets are determined to bring smiles to the faces of Nigerians.

The Falconets will compete in Group F alongside Spain, China PR and New Caledonia at the tournament.

Nigeria, runners-up of the 2010 and 2014 editions of the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup, will be seeking to go a step further in Poland and win the country’s first title in the competition.

The team will stay at the Hotel Trzebnica in the city of Trzebnica from their arrival on Tuesday, 25th August until Thursday, 3rd September, when they will move into the FIFA hotel. While at the Hotel Trzebnica, the Falconets will perfect their tactical and technical readiness for the championship, and also acclimatize ahead of their Group F games against Spain (7th September), China (10th September) and New Caledonia (13th September).

A total of 21 players will fly Nigeria’s flag at the competition, with Nigeria the only African country to have appeared at every edition of the competition since it was launched as an U19 tournament in Canada 24 years ago.

Falconets for U20 World Cup Poland 2026

Christiana Uzoma, Jane Ijirigho, Ramotalahi Kareem, Queen Joseph, Favour Nkwocha, Rebecca Adegbemile, Joy Igbokwe, Faridat Abdulwahab, Precious Oscar, Tumininu Adeshina, Bright Etim, Onyedikachi Ekezie, Victory Lucky, Mary Mamudu, Hannah Ibrahm, Tosin Rafiu, Janet Akekoromowei, Amber Ogbolu, Winner David, Chisom Nwachukwu, Jumai Adebayo