The Nigeria’s Falconets are entering the final stretch of their preparations for the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, with the Head Coach Moses Aduku set to use a series of international friendlies to strengthen his squad ahead of the tournament in Poland.
The young Nigerian side is currently in camp in Abuja and is expected to travel to Poland on August 24, with the global tournament scheduled to take place from September 5 to 27.
The preparation schedule will provide the Falconets with valuable opportunities to test themselves against quality opposition, with planned encounters against Poland and Korea Republic expected to help Aduku assess his players and fine-tune his tactical approach before the competition begins.
Nigeria will open their World Cup campaign against Spain, a side with considerable experience at the youth level.
The fixture is expected to provide an early indication of the Falconets’ readiness to compete against some of the tournament’s leading teams.
The Falconets head into the tournament with a strong history at the U-20 World Cup. Nigeria will be making their 12th appearance, having twice reached the final and regularly progressed deep into the competition.
The team has also received encouraging news with Benfica Forward Janet Akekoromowei cleared to join the squad.
The 18-year-old attacker’s availability adds another option to Aduku’s attacking department after an ankle injury had raised concerns over her participation.
Akekoromowei, who has already represented Nigeria at senior level, joined Benfica in July on a contract running until 2028, with an option for an additional two years.
Her return to the Falconets setup could prove valuable as Nigeria prepares for a demanding group-stage campaign.
The proposed meeting with Korea Republic will also carry added significance, given the two teams’ recent history at the U-20 World Cup. Nigeria defeated Korea Republic 1-0 at the 2024 edition through a late goal from Flourish Sabastine.
The preparation for Poland continues, Aduku’s priority will be to build a balanced squad, improve the team’s attacking efficiency, strengthen their defensive organisation, and ensure the players are ready for the intensity of the tournament.
The final preparations now gathering momentum, the Falconets will be looking to use these friendly encounters as a platform to build confidence and establish the foundation for another memorable World Cup campaign.
