Nigeria’s Falconets face Colombia today in Łódź for a place in the semi-finals of the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, having demolished England 3-0 in the last 16.
Nigeria’s Falconets are one win away from a first FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup semi-final appearance in 12 years. They face Colombia today, Sunday 20 September, at the Stadion Miejski ŁKS Łódź in Poland, with kick-off at 5:30pm GMT.
The Falconets arrive in ominous form. After starting the group stage shakily, Nigeria found their rhythm at exactly the right moment, and that momentum has carried them further than most expected.
Nigeria’s route to the quarter-final has been dramatic. They needed a big result in their final group game and delivered one of the most emphatic performances of the tournament, thrashing New Caledonia 10-1 to finish second in Group F. Ramotalahi Kareem and substitute Winner David both scored hat-tricks, with Rebecca Adegbemile adding a brace and Seimeyeha Akekoromowei and Tosin Rafiu also on the scoresheet.
That result sent the Falconets into the Round of 16 against Group E winners England. Rather than a nervy backs-to-the-wall display, Nigeria produced their best performance of the competition, beating the Young Lionesses 3-0 in Bielsko-Biala to book their quarter-final ticket. In fact, that win is exactly why Colombia — who edged hosts Poland 1-0 in their own last-16 tie — will treat this quarter-final as anything but straightforward.
A place in the semi-finals would be significant for Nigerian women’s football. The Falconets are appearing at their eleventh U-20 Women’s World Cup, more than any other African nation, but a semi-final berth has eluded them since 2014. Getting past Colombia today would end that wait and put an elusive title within reach for a squad that has grown into the tournament with every round.
Colombia will pose a different kind of test to England. Where the Young Lionesses were beaten by Nigeria’s attacking surge, Colombia have built their run on defensive resilience, conceding sparingly through the group stage and the last 16. That contrast — Nigeria’s front-foot approach against a side content to sit in and counter — should make for one of the more tactically interesting ties of the round.
Ramotalahi Kareem has been the standout performer of the Falconets’ campaign so far, converting from the penalty spot and adding a second goal in the New Caledonia rout. Winner David’s hat-trick off the bench showed the depth Nigeria can call on, while Rebecca Adegbemile has been a consistent creative outlet through the middle. With Nigeria needing to break down a well-organised Colombian backline, all three are likely to be central to whatever approach the coaching staff settles on.
Our editorial team has followed the Falconets’ campaign closely because results like this rarely get the domestic attention they deserve compared to Super Eagles or NPFL coverage — yet this generation is doing something the senior men’s team hasn’t managed in a while: consistently going deep in global tournaments. A semi-final run would be the platform’s best women’s football story of the year, and it comes at a time when several of this squad’s players are already being watched by clubs abroad.
For context on Nigeria’s wider national-team picture this September, see our guide to the Super Eagles squad for 2026 and our preview of the Super Eagles’ AFCON 2027 qualifying opener against Madagascar, which kicks off the men’s campaign later this week.
When and where is the match?
Sunday 20 September, kick-off 5:30pm GMT, at the Stadion Miejski ŁKS Łódź in Łódź, Poland.
How did Nigeria reach the quarter-final?
The Falconets finished second in Group F after a 10-1 win over New Caledonia, then beat England 3-0 in the Round of 16.
When did Nigeria last reach the semi-finals of this tournament?
Nigeria’s last U-20 Women’s World Cup semi-final appearance was in 2014, making today’s tie a chance to end a 12-year wait.
Who are Nigeria’s key attacking players in this squad?
Ramotalahi Kareem, Winner David, and Rebecca Adegbemile have carried the bulk of the Falconets’ goal threat through the group stage and Round of 16.
We’ll have full coverage of the result and, if Nigeria progress, the semi-final draw as soon as it’s confirmed.
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