Nigeria’s Oluebube Umejiaku has been crowned the best player at the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup after playing a pivotal role in the Flamingos’ historic triumph in Morocco.
The 16-year-old forward received the Golden Ball award following an outstanding tournament in which she scored three goals and provided two assists to help Nigeria secure their first-ever title in the competition.
Umejiaku was also on target in the final, scoring Nigeria’s second goal in their 2-1 victory over Japan on Saturday at the Mohammed VI Football Complex.
The Heartland Queens player made significant contributions throughout the Flamingos’ campaign, recording goal contributions in all seven matches as Nigeria bounced back from their opening defeat to Poland to emerge champions.
She scored against Poland, DPR Korea and Mexico, while providing assists in games against Puerto Rico and Brazil.
The forward also won a penalty during Nigeria’s quarter-final victory over Venezuela.
In the final, Awawu Bashiru gave Nigeria the lead in the 39th minute before Umejiaku doubled the advantage shortly after the restart in the 47th minute.
Japan’s Fuki Ito reduced the deficit in the 80th minute, but the Flamingos held on to secure the title.
Nigeria’s victory made them the first African nation to win the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
The triumph also made the country the first to claim both the men’s and women’s U-17 World Cup titles.
Meanwhile, United States forward Maddie DiMaria claimed the Golden Boot after finishing as the tournament’s highest scorer with 12 goals.
