Flamingos squad call-up confirmed as Akeem Busari names 26 players for U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers build-up
Flamingos head coach Akeem Busari has announced a 26-player Flamingos squad call-up in Abuja, as preparations intensify for Nigeria’s 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup second-round qualifying fixture.
The Nigeria U-17 women’s national team coach unveiled the squad with selections spread across key departments, including five goalkeepers, 10 defenders, 13 midfielders, and eight forwards, as he begins early groundwork for the crucial qualification campaign.
The Flamingos squad call-up comes ahead of Nigeria’s second-round clash against the winner of the Niger Republic and Guinea first-round tie, which is still ongoing in West Africa.
Niger and Guinea will first meet in Niamey this weekend for the opening leg of their preliminary encounter, with the return fixture scheduled for Conakry the following week to determine who advances.
The winner of that tie will host the Flamingos for the first leg of the second-round fixture between May 22 and May 24, while Nigeria will host the return leg on Saturday, May 30.
Busari’s early squad selection is aimed at ensuring adequate preparation time as Nigeria seeks to secure qualification for the global tournament.
The 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup is scheduled to take place in Morocco between October 17 and November 7, with African qualifiers expected to be highly competitive.
Flamingos’s will be hoping to build on their strong youth development pedigree as they target another successful qualification run on the continental stage.