With the kick-off of the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Poland on Saturday, 5 September 2026, Nigeria’s Falconets will commence their Group F campaign against reigning champions Spain on Monday, 7 September, followed by clashes against China on 10 September and New Caledonia on 13 September.
Having reached the final twice, losing to Germany in both 2010 and 2014, Nigeria will be hoping to take a step further by challenging for the elusive title.
In this piece, Completesports.com‘s AUGUSTINE AKHILOMEN highlights the 15 things to know about the Falconets’ Group F opponents in Poland.
SPAIN
Appearances: 6 (2004, 2016, 2018, 2022, 2024, and qualifying for the 2026 tournament in Poland).
Spain’s U-20 team are gradually becoming a force to reckon with at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup after their impressive displays at the age-grade competition.
Since their first appearance at the competition in 2004, where they finished bottom of Group C in a group consisting of the USA, Russia and South Korea, the Spanish side have gone on to feature in five other competitions with exciting performances.
Under the tutelage of coach David Aznar, the Spanish team have been transformed technically and tactically and are always keeping possession of the ball.
Best Finish: Champions (2022, defeating Japan 3–1 in the final).
On 30 August 2022, Spain made history by defeating Japan 3–1 to win the U-20 Women’s World Cup, with Salma Paralluelo’s brace powering the Europeans to the title.
This victory marked Spain’s first-ever title in the tournament, serving as revenge for their 3–1 loss to Japan in the 2018 final.
Spain took a commanding advantage inside the first 27 minutes through goals from Inma Gabarro, her eighth goal of the tournament, and Paralluelo. The Japanese rallied after the break with a strike from Suzu Amano but could not make further inroads.
Biggest Win
Spain’s biggest win at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup is a 5–0 victory against tournament hosts Costa Rica on 13 August 2022.
Goals from Sonia Majarín (26′), Ariadna Mingueza (33′), Inma Gabarro (62′ pen), Ane Elexpuru (74′) and Salma Paralluelo (90+4′) were enough to give Spain a comfortable victory.
This dominant performance helped propel Spain through the group stage on their way to winning their first-ever FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup title.
Third Meeting With Falconets
Spain and Nigeria have faced each other twice at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, with each team winning one match.
Recall that in the 2016 edition, Nigeria defeated Spain 2-1 on November 19, during the tournament in Papua New Guinea.
However, during the 2018 edition, Spain beat Nigeria 2-1 on August 16, 2018, in France, knocking the Falconets out and advancing to their first-ever semifinal.
Both teams are expected to clash again on Monday, September 7, 2026, in Poland in Group F.
Overall Record
Spain have played 22 matches at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, winning 13, drawing three and losing six at the tournament so far.
The statistics show that Spain have made massive improvements at the age-grade competition and will be seeking to win their second title in Poland.
CHINA PR
Appearances: 7 (2004, 2006, 2008, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018 and qualifying for the 2026 tournament in Poland).
China PR have appeared in seven editions of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup (historically played as the FIFA U-19 Women’s World Championship prior to 2006), with their upcoming appearance at the Poland 2026 tournament marking their eighth overall qualification.
The team have quickly emerged as one of Asia’s strongest nations, qualifying for every other edition of the tournament.
They qualified for the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Poland following a strong run at the AFC U-20 Women’s Asian Cup. The team secured their spot by finishing in the top four at the AFC U-20 Women’s Asian Cup.
Best Finish: Runners-up (2004 and 2006).
China PR reached the final of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup twice in their history, finishing as runners-up in both 2004 and 2006.
Recall that in their first appearance in 2004, China finished second in their group and pulled off a major 2–0 semi-final win against Brazil before losing 2–0 to Germany in the final.
In the 2006 edition, China reached consecutive title matches, where they finished as runners-up after falling 5–0 to North Korea in the final.
Biggest Win
China PR’s biggest win at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup is a 4–0 victory against Russia during the quarter-finals of the 2006 tournament in Russia.
Goals from Zi (8′), Ma Xiaoxu (19′), Zhang (40′) and You (60′) gave China a brilliant victory over the hosts.
However, China went on to finish as runners-up in the tournament, losing the final to North Korea.
Third Meeting With Falconets
China and Nigeria have faced each other twice at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, with China winning one match and the other ending in a draw.
In their first encounter, China defeated Nigeria 3–0 in the group stage of the 2006 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Championship in Russia.
Despite the 3–0 loss to China, Nigeria finished second in Group B with six points (following a 3–2 win over Canada and an 8–0 rout of Finland). The Nigerian Falconets advanced to the quarter-finals, where they were narrowly defeated 2–1 by Brazil after extra time.
However, in their second encounter, Nigeria and China played a crucial Group D match on 13 August 2018, which ended in a 1–1 draw. China took the lead through Linyan Zhang, but a late stoppage-time own goal secured the draw that sent Nigeria’s Falconets through to the quarter-finals at China’s expense.
The two teams are scheduled to meet again in Group F at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Poland 2026 on 10 September 2026.
Overall Record
China have played 24 matches at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, winning 11, drawing six and losing seven at the tournament so far.
The 2026 edition of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup will afford China the opportunity to showcase their football strength and also challenge for the title.
They will be hoping to replicate their brilliant performances in 2004 and 2006, when the team reached the final of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup.
NEW CALEDONIA
Appearance: One
New Caledonia’s women’s national under-20 team are making their historic debut appearance at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Poland.
They secured their spot by reaching the final of the 2025 OFC U-19 Women’s Championship, highlighted by a crucial 2–0 semi-final victory over Fiji.
There is no doubt that the team have a mountain to climb if they are to qualify from Group F.
The Record
As tournament debutants, they carry no prior match history or wins at this specific global stage, looking to write the opening chapter for women’s football in their country.
With some promising players in the squad, New Caledonia will be seeking to cause a major upset in a group consisting of Nigeria, Spain and China.
Biggest Win (Regional Record – OFC)
New Caledonia defeated Papua New Guinea 8–0 on 30 August 2019, during the opening match of the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) U-19/U-20 Women’s Championship in the Cook Islands.
This 8–0 scoreline stands as the New Caledonia women’s national under-20 football team’s largest victory in international competition history.
At home, they are a strong side, but playing away from their comfort zone, New Caledonia will be eager to make a big statement of intent in Poland.
Biggest Loss
Historically, New Caledonia have been underdogs in the region, plagued by crushing defeats like a 26–0 loss to regional powerhouse New Zealand in 2015.
The defeat remains New Caledonia’s odd record since their first appearance at U-19/U-20 levels.
Overall Record
This will be New Caledonia’s first appearance at the tournament, and they will be desperate to make a positive impact in Poland.
A goal scored and a point secured will be considered a big achievement for New Caledonia.
As tournament debutants, they will rely on defensive organisation against top European opposition like Spain when they meet on Monday, 7 September 2026.
