Nigeria’s teenage forward, Oluebube Umejiaku, has been named the best player of the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup after winning the prestigious adidas Golden Ball award, capping an outstanding performance that helped the country secure its first-ever title in the competition.
The 16-year-old received the individual honour following Nigeria’s historic 2–1 victory over Japan in Saturday’s final at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Rabat, Morocco.
Umejiaku was instrumental in Nigeria’s successful campaign, scoring four goals during the tournament, including the decisive second goal that secured victory against Japan and made the country the first African nation to win the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
Her recognition also came after she was named Player of the Match in the final, underlining her influence in Nigeria’s historic achievement.
According to FIFA, the forward began the tournament on the substitutes’ bench but gradually established herself as one of the team’s most influential players.
She scored as a substitute in Nigeria’s opening match against Poland, although the team suffered a 2–1 defeat. She subsequently found the net against DPR Korea and Mexico before delivering the decisive contribution in the final against Japan.
Her journey reflected the determination and resilience of a Nigerian side that recovered from its opening defeat to win the competition.
In the final, Nigeria took the lead through Awawu Bashiru in the 39th minute before Umejiaku doubled the advantage two minutes into the second half.
Japan reduced the deficit through Fuki Ito in the 80th minute, but the Nigerian team held on to secure the historic victory.
Speaking after the final, an excited Umejiaku told FIFA that she had remained prayerful and patient while waiting for her opportunity to become a regular starter.
“Every time I went to training and every time I slept, I told God that I’m praying for all the people that are starting. But when I wanted to start, I just told God that it is my time,” she said.
She also recalled how the team’s opening defeat to Poland became a turning point, explaining that the players resolved to approach every subsequent match with greater determination.
“When we lost the first game against Poland, everybody said we needed to wake up because we didn’t come here to look at anybody’s face and we have to take every game as a final,” she said.
Other players receive individual honours
While Umejiaku claimed the Golden Ball for the tournament’s outstanding player, other footballers were also recognised for their performances.
United States forward Maddie DiMaria received the adidas Golden Boot after finishing as the competition’s leading scorer with 12 goals.
DPR Korea’s Yu Jong-hyang won the Silver Ball, while Japan’s Fuki Ito received the Bronze Ball.
DPR Korea goalkeeper Kim Son-gyong was named the winner of the Golden Glove award for her outstanding goalkeeping performances, while Japan received the FIFA Fair Play Trophy.
The awards highlighted the individual performances that shaped the Morocco 2026 tournament.
A new milestone for Nigerian and African women’s football
Umejiaku’s individual recognition adds to the significance of Nigeria’s historic victory, which represents a major breakthrough for African women’s football.
By defeating Japan, Nigeria became the first African country to win the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, a competition that has been dominated by teams from other continents since its introduction.
The achievement has also reinforced Nigeria’s position as a major force in youth football, with the country’s male and female U-17 teams now having secured world titles.
For Umejiaku and her teammates, the triumph is expected to serve as inspiration for more girls aspiring to pursue professional football and represent Nigeria on the international stage.
Her journey from a substitute in the opening match to the tournament’s most outstanding player also offers a powerful reminder of the importance of patience, opportunity, teamwork and determination in the development of young athletes.
