U-17 Women’s W’Cup: Flamingos drawn with hosts in Group A

Nigeria’s women’s U-17 national team, the Flamingos, have been drawn into Group A for the 2024 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup. The draw took place in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, on Sunday (Nigeria time).

The Flamingos will face the host nation Dominican Republic, Ecuador, and New Zealand in Group A.

This will mark the third time in recent that a Nigerian team will be grouped with the hosts with the Falcons grouped with Australia at the 2023 Women’s World Cup and the Super Eagles alongside Ivory Coast at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

The Flamingos will kick off their campaign against New Zealand on Wednesday, October 16, followed by a match against Ecuador on Saturday, October 19, and will conclude the group stage with a game against the Dominican Republic on Tuesday, October 22.

Led by Bankole Olowookere, Nigeria aims to build on their impressive performance in the previous edition of the tournament, where they finished third in India.

The draws were hosted at the Frey Antón de Montecinos monument, and featured 16 nations, marking the last 16-team edition before expanding to 24 teams in 2025.

The draw was presented by journalist and football commentator Avelino Cuadra and hosted by FIFA Director of Tournaments Jaime Yarza. They were assisted by Dominican athlete Thais Herrera and Canadian-born Mexican player Tatiana Flores. Herrera is the first woman from the Dominican Republic to climb Mount Everest, and Flores represented Mexico at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in India in 2022.

This tournament marks the Dominican Republic’s debut in a FIFA women’s competition, reflecting the growing football scene in the country. They participated in the FIFA U-20 World Cup last year, and their men’s Olympic squad is set to compete in Paris 2024.

The other groups for the tournament are as includes Group B with Spain, the USA, Korea Republic, and Colombia, Group C consists of Korea DPR, Mexico, Kenya, and England, while Group D features Japan, Poland, Brazil, and Zambia.

Ecuador, Kenya, and Poland are making their tournament debuts this year.

Tickets for the tournament which will take place between October 16 and November 3 will go on sale on August 27.