Flamingos win Fair Play Award at 2024 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup

By: Monsurah Olatunji

The 2024 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup has concluded in the Dominican Republic, and while Spain claimed the title, Nigeria earned recognition for their exceptional sportsmanship, taking home the prestigious Fair Play Award.

Despite their exit in the quarterfinals, the Nigerian team’s respectful and rule-abiding behavior throughout the tournament stood out.

The Flamingos delivered an impressive performance in the group stage, winning all three of their matches. They triumphed 4-1 over New Zealand, defeated Ecuador 4-0, and secured a 1-0 victory against the host nation, the Dominican Republic.

However, their tournament came to an end in the quarterfinals with a 2-0 loss to the USA, who had finished second in their group behind Spain.

One of the standout moments for Nigeria was their record-breaking attendance, as the match against the Dominican Republic attracted a historic 13,535 spectators— the largest crowd ever for a football match in the country.

What truly set the Flamingos apart, however, was their exemplary conduct both on and off the pitch. Adjudged by tournament officials as the most friendly and approachable team, Nigeria’s players were seen engaging positively with opponents, security personnel, hotel staff, drivers, and local fans. Videos of the team dancing and interacting with their peers went viral, further showcasing their sportsmanship.

Looking ahead, the next edition of the U-17 Women’s World Cup will take place in Morocco in 2025, with an expanded format featuring 24 teams, up from the current 16.

The tournament will also shift to an annual schedule, providing even more opportunities for global talent to shine on the world stage.

Though the Flamingos’ journey ended in the quarterfinals, their conduct throughout the competition made them one of the most memorable teams of the tournament.