The 2026 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup in Morocco will go down in history as a tournament where several milestones were hit both individually and collectively.

Nigeria beat Japan to claim their first-ever FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup title, becoming the first African nation to win the competition.

Individually, players such as Maddie DiMaria reached new goalscoring heights during an unforgettable three weeks of tournament football.

Striver.Football looks at 10 players who stood out at the tournament through their technical ability, individual quality and match-winning performances.

10. Greise Kelly (Brazil)

Brazil fell just short of a medal with a fourth-place finish, but Kelly was their most electric attacking catalyst. Operating with signature South American flair, she was the tournament's primary playmaker, leading all competitors with five assists while netting four goals of her own.

Key Moment: Her influence was particularly clear in Brazil's 2-1 quarter-final victory over China PR, where she scored the equaliser to help send the Selecao into the semi-finals.

9. Amari Manning (USA)

Manning's terrifying pace and precise crossing down the wings made her completely unplayable during the group stages. She provided four assists in just five games, orchestrating a historic offensive run for the United States.

Key Moment: Her four assists in five appearances highlighted her ability to create chances from wide areas and contribute to the USA's attacking threat throughout the tournament.

8. Loredana Paletta (USA)

While others attracted attention for their goalscoring, Loradana Paletta provided an important creative presence in the American midfield. She finished the tournament with three goals and four assists, matching Amari Manning's assist tally.

Key Moment: She produced an influential performance against Spain in the round of 16, helping the USA secure a 2-1 victory and advance to the quarter-finals.

7. Ri Ui-gyong (DPR Korea)

A nightmare for opposing backlines, Ri Ui-gyong displayed clinical finishing for DPR Korea. She won the adidas Bronze Boot after an impressive goalscoring campaign at Morocco 2026.

Key Moment: Her multi-goal performance in the knockout rounds proved crucial in helping North Korea bounce back to ultimately secure the bronze medal.

6. Mercedes Diz (Argentina)

Diz proved to be one of the tournament's most clinical forwards, finishing with seven goals in four appearances and sharing second place in the goalscoring standings.

Key Moment: Her seven-goal return made her one of the tournament's most dangerous forwards, although Argentina's campaign ended in the round of 16 after a penalty shoot-out defeat to Ghana.

5. Kim Son-gyong (DPR Korea)

DPR Korea's defensive strength was a major factor in their run to the bronze medal. Kim Son-gyong played an important role in that campaign and was rewarded with the adidas Golden Glove as the tournament's outstanding goalkeeper.

Her performances helped DPR Korea secure third place, with the team defeating Brazil 6-0 in the bronze-medal match.

4. Fuki Ito (Japan)

Japan finished as tournament runners-up, with Ito playing a key role in their run to the final. Her performances earned her the adidas Bronze Ball, recognising her as one of the competition's standout players.

Key Moment: In a tense final against Nigeria, she gave her team a fighting chance by scoring a brilliant 80th-minute goal to narrow the deficit and spark a furious late-game rally.

3. Yu Jong-hyang (DPR Korea)

The explosive forward claimed both the tournament's official Silver Ball and Silver Boot. She completely dominated opposition backlines, finishing with seven goals and two assists.

Key Moment: Her seven goals at Morocco 2026 took her career tally across the 2025 and 2026 editions of the U-17 Women's World Cup to a record 16, making her the competition's all-time leading scorer.

2. Maddie DiMaria (USA)

Although the USA exited in the quarter-finals, DiMaria captured the adidas Golden Boot with a record-breaking 12 goals. Her tally was the highest by an individual player at a single FIFA women's tournament.

Key Moment: She made history with six goals in the USA's 17-0 victory over Samoa, before scoring four more in their 5-0 win against Kenya.

1. Oluebube Umejiaku (Nigeria) 

Umejiaku emerged as one of Nigeria's most influential players at Morocco 2026. After beginning the campaign on the bench, she earned a starting role and helped the Flamingos secure their first-ever FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup title. She claimed the ultimate individual honor: the tournament's Golden Ball (Best Player).

Key Moment: In the 47th minute of the World Cup Final against Japan, she latched onto a pass from Esther Stephen and clinically slotted home what proved to be the historic, tournament-winning goal.