Nigeria’s Falconets have arrived back in the country following their quarter-final elimination from the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Poland, Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.
The Nigeria U-20 women’s national team landed at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja on Monday evening, less than 24 hours after their painful 1-0 defeat to Colombia in ?ód?.
The Falconets appeared set for extra time after a closely contested encounter, only for Colombia to score deep into stoppage time and end Nigeria’s hopes of reaching the semi-finals.
The players and officials were received at the airport by Acting Nigeria Football Federation General Secretary, Dr Emmanuel Ikpeme, alongside members of the federation's management.
NFF Director of Legal Services, Okey Obi, Esq.; Technical Director, Coach Augustine Eguavoen; Director of Protocol, Barnabas Joro; Acting Director of Member Associations, Ali Abubakar Muhammad; and Deputy Director of Audit, Margaret Magai were also present to welcome the delegation.
The quarter-final appearance adds another chapter to Nigeria’s long association with the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, where the Falconets have consistently represented Africa at the highest level of youth women's football.
Although the late defeat brought their campaign to an end, the tournament offered the young players valuable experience against some of the best teams in the world.
The focus will now shift to their return to club football, where the players will continue their development while remaining part of Nigeria’s wider pathway towards future youth and senior women’s national-team assignments.