Falconets Finally Depart For Poland After Visa Delay
Nigeria’s Falconets are finally set to leave Abuja on Monday for Poland ahead of the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, after visa delays disrupted their original travel plans.
The team was initially scheduled to depart on Thursday, August 20, but the delay in securing the necessary visas forced the trip to be postponed.
Head coach Moses Aduku and his technical crew now have limited time to complete preparations in Poland, with acclimatisation, tactical work, player recovery and planned international friendlies expected to take immediate priority.
The tournament kicks off on September 5, with Nigeria drawn in Group F alongside Spain, China PR and New Caledonia. The Falconets will face Spain in their opening match.
Nigeria qualified after defeating Rwanda 5-0 on aggregate, Senegal 3-2 and Malawi 3-2 in the final qualifying round.
The Falconets are the only country to have featured at every edition of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup since its launch in 2002. They have finished runners-up twice, in 2010 and 2014, and reached the semi-finals in 2012.
At the 2024 edition in Colombia, Nigeria defeated Korea Republic 1-0 in their opening game before suffering a Round of 16 defeat to Japan.
Despite the setback to their preparations, Aduku’s team will hope to settle quickly in Poland and make up for lost time as they target another strong campaign on the global stage.
The team was initially scheduled to depart on Thursday, August 20, but the delay in securing the necessary visas forced the trip to be postponed.
Head coach Moses Aduku and his technical crew now have limited time to complete preparations in Poland, with acclimatisation, tactical work, player recovery and planned international friendlies expected to take immediate priority.
The tournament kicks off on September 5, with Nigeria drawn in Group F alongside Spain, China PR and New Caledonia. The Falconets will face Spain in their opening match.
Nigeria qualified after defeating Rwanda 5-0 on aggregate, Senegal 3-2 and Malawi 3-2 in the final qualifying round.
The Falconets are the only country to have featured at every edition of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup since its launch in 2002. They have finished runners-up twice, in 2010 and 2014, and reached the semi-finals in 2012.
At the 2024 edition in Colombia, Nigeria defeated Korea Republic 1-0 in their opening game before suffering a Round of 16 defeat to Japan.
Despite the setback to their preparations, Aduku’s team will hope to settle quickly in Poland and make up for lost time as they target another strong campaign on the global stage.
