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Nigeria’s Falconets have been forced to make two late changes to their squad for the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Poland after captain Joy Igbokwe and midfielder Faridat Abdulwahab failed to secure visas.
The duo could not travel with the team on Monday because of unresolved visa issues, prompting the Nigeria Football Federation to draft in Vivian Kachi and Alaba Olabiyi as replacements.
The Falconets arrived in Poland on Tuesday with 20 players and resumed training the following day at the Stadion Miejski, Fair Play Arena, as preparations for the tournament gathered momentum.
The team could face another selection setback, with striker Janet Akekoromowei potentially unavailable after her Portuguese club, Benfica, reportedly failed to release her for the competition.
Akekoromowei, a former Bayelsa Queens forward, suffered a serious injury during the qualifiers in February, with her rehabilitation reportedly supported by Benfica.
The Falconets are scheduled to play two friendly matches before their World Cup opener, taking on hosts Poland on August 28 and South Korea on September 1.
Nigeria have been drawn in Group F alongside Spain, China PR and New Caledonia. They will open their campaign against Spain on September 7 before facing China PR on September 10 and New Caledonia on September 13.
The Falconets, who finished runners-up at the tournament in 2010 and 2014, will be seeking their first FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup title in Poland.
