Group B of the upcoming FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup 2026 in Morocco is widely tipped as one of the most intriguing in the tournament, headlined by an absolute global powerhouse, an elite African giant, an in-form European threat, and history-making underdogs.
With DPR Korea, Puerto Rico, Poland, and Nigeria drawn together, the battle to progress from the group will be fierce. Striver.Football profiles everything you need to know about the Group B contenders.
DPR Korea: The Reigning Champions
DPR Korea enters the 2026 tournament not just as favorites to top the group, but as the team everyone else has to beat to win the trophy. Their historical dominance at this youth tier is unmatched.
Head Coach: Ji Yun-Nam
Player to Watch: Yu Jong-Hyang - With the tournament moving to a fast-paced annual one-year cycle, history is being made as Yu Jong-Hyang returns to defend her crown. At the Morocco 2025 finals, Yu swept the individual awards, taking home both the adidas Golden Ball (Best Player) and the Golden Boot (Top Scorer).
Tactical Blueprint: She tied the all-time tournament record by hammering home eight goals during the 2025 iteration. Beyond her devastating, clinical finishing inside the penalty box, Yu is renowned for her endless engine.
She sets the defensive press from the front, executing tireless, selfless tracking back and hold-up play that creates space for her teammates.
How They Qualified: DPR Korea cruised through their continent's elite competition, winning the AFC U-17 Women's Asian Cup to claim their place on the world stage with absolute authority.
World Cup History: This is DPR Korea's 9th appearance at the U-17 World Cup (2008, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2024, 2025, 2026). They are the most successful nation in tournament history, arriving as the reigning power with an astonishing four championship titles (2008, 2016, 2024, 2025).
Puerto Rico: World Cup Debutants Make History
Puerto Rico heads to North Africa with nothing to lose, carrying the pride of a nation celebrating its finest hour in women's football history.
Head Coach: Andres Mirabelli
Player to Watch: Camila Adame Lugo - Skipper Camila Adame Lugo is poised to become a national icon as she gears up to be the first-ever player to lead a Puerto Rican team out onto a World Cup pitch.
Tactical Blueprint: Adame Lugo was the ultimate "ever-present" rock throughout their grueling CONCACAF qualifying campaign, never missing a single minute of action.
She offers immense tactical flexibility to manager Andres Mirabelli; she possesses the vision, passing range, and positional awareness to dictate tempo from deep midfield, yet she can seamlessly drop back into central defense to absorb sustained pressure.
If Puerto Rico is to lock down their first-ever World Cup clean sheet or point, it will be orchestrated entirely by her on-pitch leadership.
How They Qualified: The Boricuas secured their historic qualification by finishing as the best second-placed team from the final round of CONCACAF qualifying, navigating a brutal regional bracket.
World Cup History: Morocco 2026 marks Puerto Rico's very 1st appearance at a FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup. They have no previous tournament record, meaning every goal scored and point earned will rewrite their national record books.
Read More: FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup 2026: Full Schedule, Fixtures and Dates
Poland: European Champions with a Point to Prove
Poland arrives in Morocco as a highly technical, dangerous side capable of dismantling any defense on their day.
The Boss: Paulina Kawalec
Player to watch: Zofia Burzan - The midfielder is an absolute direct-contribution machine who is currently taking domestic football by storm with Czarni Sosnowiec, where she has already racked up four assists and a goal early in the season.
Tactical Blueprint: Burzan is a classic box-to-box, industrious midfielder who combines a heavy defensive work rate with lethal attacking instincts.
She played a decisive role in Poland’s UEFA Women’s Under-17 Championship campaign, scoring all four of the team’s goals to finish as the tournament’s top scorer.
How They Qualified: Poland endured a high-stakes, nerve-wracking route to the tournament, ultimately punching their ticket by winning the UEFA Women's Under-17 Championship play-off.
World Cup History: This is Poland's 2nd appearance at the global tournament, having made their debut in 2024. Their benchmark remains a highly impressive Quarter-final finish during that maiden campaign.
Nigeria: The Flamingos Target Another Deep Run
The Flamingos return to the World Cup stage with a reputation for playing explosive, high-intensity attacking football. They are widely regarded as Africa's premier powerhouse at this age tier.
Head Coach: Akeem Busari
Player to Watch: Harmony Chidi - The explosive Harmony Chidi is already a veteran of these finals despite her youth. She initially announced herself to the world by scoring at the Dominican Republic 2024 tournament when she was just 14 years old.
Tactical Blueprint: Chidi returns to Morocco as the team's undisputed captain and focal point. She was in unplayable form during qualification, netting five goals in the World Cup qualifiers before leading Nigeria to the WAFU B U17 Girls' Cup title in September 2026 with an additional three goals.
Chidi possesses terrifying, searing pace over short distances and boundless physical energy. More than just a traditional line-breaking number nine, her ability to press center-backs into errors and turn half-chances into spectacular goals makes her one of the most lethal forwards in the entire 2026 tournament.
How They Qualified: Nigeria secured their place in Morocco by defeating Benin in the final round of African qualifying.
World Cup History: Nigeria are elite regulars, celebrating their 9th World Cup appearance in 2026 (2008, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2022, 2024, 2025, 2026). Their historic tournament apex came in 2022, when they secured a magnificent third-place bronze medal.
Striver Verdict: Who Will Advance from Group B?
DPR Korea will be among the favourites to win Group B and make another deep run in the tournament. The titanic clash for the second knockout spot will almost certainly come down to Nigeria vs. Poland—a classic match-up of Nigeria's raw athletic pace versus Poland's organized European tactical shape.
While Puerto Rico will fight valiantly under Adame Lugo's leadership, progressing from the group will be a major challenge for the debutants.
