RismadarVoice Reporters, August 27, 2026
Nigeria’s Falconets have replaced captain Joy Igbokwe and midfielder Faridat Abdulwahab after the duo failed to obtain visas for the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Poland.
Igbokwe and Abdulwahab were unable to travel with the squad on Monday due to unresolved visa issues, prompting the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to draft in Vivian Kachi and Alaba Olabiyi as replacements.
The Falconets arrived in Poland on Tuesday with a 20-player squad and began training the following day at the Stadion Miejski, Fair Play Arena, as preparations for the tournament intensified.
Meanwhile, striker Janet Akekoromowei could also miss the competition despite travelling to Poland, amid reports that her club, Benfica, is yet to release her for the tournament.
The former Bayelsa Queens forward suffered a serious injury during the qualifiers in February, with her rehabilitation reportedly supported by the Portuguese club.
The Falconets are scheduled to play two friendly matches before the tournament, taking on hosts Poland on August 28 and South Korea on September 1.
Nigeria will campaign in Group F alongside Spain, China PR and New Caledonia.
The Falconets will open their World Cup campaign against Spain on September 7 before facing China PR on September 10 and New Caledonia on September 13.
The Nigerian team, runners-up at the 2010 and 2014 editions, will be hoping to secure their first FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup title in Poland.
