2024 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup: Falconets to face Japan in Round of 16

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde

The Nigeria U-20 women’s national team will take on Japan in the Round of 16 of the 2024 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup on September 12, 2024.

With the group stages now concluded, the tournament has entered its knockout phase, featuring 16 teams that advanced from the six groups.

The Falconets secured second place in Group D, accumulating six points from two wins and one loss, placing them just behind Germany.

Meanwhile, Japan topped Group E with a perfect record of nine points, having won all three of their group matches against Austria, Ghana, and New Zealand.

This match will mark the third time Nigeria has faced Japan in recent U-20 Women’s World Cup history. In their previous encounters, Nigeria has won once, while Japan has emerged victorious twice.

In 2010, the Falconets defeated Japan 2-0, but Japan responded with a 2-0 victory in the 2012 third-place match. Their last meeting in 2016 ended in a dominant 6-0 win for Japan, as Nigeria exited the tournament in the group stage.

The winner of the Round of 16 clash between Nigeria and Japan will advance to the quarter-finals, where they will face either Spain or Canada.

2024 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Round of 16 Fixtures

Mexico vs United States of America

Germany vs Argentina

Brazil vs Cameroon

Korea DPR vs Austria

Japan vs Nigeria

Spain vs Canada

France vs Netherlands

Colombia vs Korea Republic