By Dorcas Francis Koji
Nigeria’s Falconets have made two changes to their squad for the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Poland after captain Joy Igbokwe and midfielder Faridat Abdulwahab were unable to secure visas for the tournament.
Igbokwe and Abdulwahab were left behind when the Falconets travelled to Poland on Monday following unresolved visa complications that delayed the team’s departure.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has subsequently replaced the duo with Vivian Kachi and Alaba Olabiyi, bringing the squad back to the required strength ahead of the competition.
Twenty players were pictured with the team following their arrival in Poland, with the two replacements now expected to strengthen the squad as preparations intensify.
There is also uncertainty surrounding striker Janet Akekoromowei, who travelled to Poland but could yet miss the tournament amid reports that her Portuguese club, Benfica, has been reluctant to release her for the competition.
Akekoromowei previously played for Bayelsa Queens and reportedly suffered a serious injury during the World Cup qualifiers in February. Her rehabilitation was said to have been supported by Benfica.
Despite the squad changes, the Falconets have settled into their training programme in Poland, holding their first session on Wednesday at the Stadion Miejski, Fair Play Arena.
Head coach Moses Aduku and his technical crew have been working on tactical organisation, technical execution, physical conditioning and team cohesion as the team prepares for the tournament.
The Falconets are also scheduled to play two international friendlies as part of their final preparations. Nigeria will face hosts Poland on August 28 before taking on South Korea on September 1.
The meeting with Poland will be played at the Municipal Stadium in Brzeg and will kick off at 12 noon local time, while the South Korea encounter is scheduled for the Remes Resort & Spa Football Stadium at 4pm local time.
The friendly matches are expected to give Aduku and his coaching staff an opportunity to assess the team, test different tactical approaches and make final adjustments before the World Cup begins.
Nigeria have been drawn in Group F alongside Spain, China PR and New Caledonia.
The Falconets will begin their campaign against Spain on September 7, face China PR on September 10, and conclude their group-stage fixtures against New Caledonia on September 13.
Nigeria finished as runners-up at the 2010 and 2014 editions of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup and will be hoping to finally claim their first title in Poland.
The Falconets are among the three nations alongside Brazil and the United States to have appeared at every edition of the tournament. Germany’s failure to qualify means Nigeria’s record of continuous participation remains intact.
With the squad now adjusted following the visa setbacks, the Falconets will look to complete their preparations and enter the tournament with their sights firmly set on ending Nigeria’s long wait for the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup trophy.
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