Nigeria and Japan will be facing each other in the finals of the ongoing 2026 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup on Sunday after overcoming Brazil and Japan respectively in the semi-finals taking place at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Rabat.

Nigeria put on a second-half clinic to dispatch Brazil 3-1 and reach their first-ever U-17 Women’s World Cup final. Hours earlier, Japan pulled off one of the most remarkable comebacks in tournament history, scoring a 95th-minute equaliser before ousting two-time defending champions DPR Korea in a high-stakes penalty shootout.

Striver.Football recaps how both global powerhouses booked their tickets to Saturday’s final showpiece.

Japan 1–1 DPR Korea (Japan win 4–3 on penalties)

Venue: Mohammed VI Football Complex - Pitch 2 (Rabat)
Goalscorers: Ri Ui-gyong (52') | Won Sol-gyong (OG 90+5')
Player of the Match: Mashiro Yamaji (Japan)

For 94 minutes, two-time defending champions DPR Korea looked poised to sail into their third consecutive FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup final. 

The title holders controlled central spaces and dictated the tempo, eventually taking a deserved lead early in the second half when Ri Ui-gyong struck an inch-perfect half-volley past the Japanese keeper.

However, Sadayoshi Shirai's squad refused to fold. Deep into stoppage time in the 95th minute, Japan mounted one last desperation attack into the six-yard box. 

Under extreme pressure from the Japanese frontline, DPR Korea defender Won Sol-gyong turned the ball into her own net. 

Following a lengthy VAR review for a potential handball, the goal stood, sending the clash directly to spot kicks.

Carrying all the emotional momentum into the shootout, Japan were flawless from 12 yards. After goalkeeper Kou Kadowaki denied Eh Chong-gum and Kim Ju-gyong struck the woodwork, Asuka Tanaka stepped up to coolly convert the decisive penalty—securing Japan’s first appearance in the final since 2016.

Brazil 1–3 Nigeria

Venue: Mohammed VI Football Complex - Pitch 3 (Rabat)
Goalscorers: Greise Kelly (89') | Queen Joseph (56'), Awawu Bashiru (71', 80')
Player of the Match: Awawu Bashiru (Nigeria)

Akeem Busari’s Flamingos delivered a dominant performance to blow past Brazil and secure a historic berth in their inaugural U-17 World Cup final.

After a scoreless first half where Queen Joseph, Mary Dunstan, and Oluwakemi Adegbuyi repeatedly tested the Selecao block, 

Nigeria broke the deadlock 11 minutes after the restart. Oluwakemi Adegbuyi cut inside from the right wing to scuff a low effort into the path of Queen Joseph, who side-footed home to open the scoring.

The final 20 minutes belonged entirely to Player of the Match Awawu Bashiru. She whipped a cross from the right flank, bypassed the entire Brazilian defense and floated over keeper Nathy into the far bottom corner.

Then in the 80th minute, she capped off  a fluid team move, the No. 11 dropped her shoulder inside the box, bypassed her marker, and poked a precise finish into the bottom corner.

Greise Kelly pulled one back for Brazil with an 89th-minute header, but Nigeria safely managed the closing minutes to seal a 3-1 triumph.

2026 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup semi-final by the numbers

1 - Nigeria reached their first-ever FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup final, having previously never progressed past the semi-final stage.

8 - Nigeria's group stage victory over DPR Korea (3–1) and Japan's semi-final penalty triumph ended DPR Korea's long-standing dominant runs, marking the two-time champions' first major knockout stumble at the finals.

10 - Years since Japan last featured in the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup decider, with their last appearance coming in 2016.

15 - Touchline appearances for Japan coach Sadayoshi Shirai following the semi-final, equaling Kenneth Zseremeta's all-time tournament record.

24 - Combined minutes for Awawu Bashiru’s match-winning second-half brace (71st and 80th minutes) to put Nigeria out of reach against Brazil.