Falconets Step Up Preparations For 2026 FIFA U20 World Cup with 28-Player Camp

Falconets Step Up Preparations For 2026 FIFA U20 World Cup with 28-Player Camp

By Niyi Busari 

Nigeria's U-20 Women's National Team, the Falconets, have commenced preparations for the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup with the opening of a training camp in Abuja, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

Head Coach Moses Aduku has invited 28 players for the camping exercise, with 16 already in camp as the team begins intensive preparations for the tournament, which will take place in Poland from September 5 to 27. The remaining invited players are expected to report in the coming days.

The technical crew wasted no time in getting the squad to work, holding intensive training sessions aimed at building fitness, improving cohesion and fine-tuning tactics ahead of the global competition.

Nigeria secured qualification for the World Cup after an impressive campaign in the African qualifiers. The Falconets defeated Rwanda 5-0 on aggregate in the second round before overcoming Senegal 3-2 on aggregate in the penultimate round. They sealed qualification with another 3-2 aggregate victory over Malawi in the final qualifying round.

The achievement extended Nigeria's remarkable record as the only African nation to qualify for every edition of the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup since the competition was introduced in 2002.

The Falconets also boast one of the strongest records in the tournament's history, finishing runners-up in 2010 and 2014, while reaching the semi-finals in 2012.

At the 2024 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup in Colombia, Nigeria opened its campaign with a 1-0 victory over Korea Republic before progressing to the Round of 16, where the team was eliminated by Japan.

For the 2026 finals, the Falconets have been drawn in Group F alongside Spain, China PR and Paraguay. Coach Aduku's side will be looking to build on Nigeria's impressive pedigree in the competition as they pursue the country's first FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup title.