FIFA U-17 Women: Ghana, Morocco Join Nigeria in Round of 16 as Zambia Exit Kenya Face Tough Task
Ghana and hosts Morocco have joined Nigeria in the Round of 16 of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Morocco 2026 while Kenya face a tough task on Sunday with Zambia’s elimination confirmed.
Kenya must overcome a daunting challenge to keep their qualification hopes alive as the group phase nears its conclusion.
Kenya must defeat Samoa by 11 goals to have a realistic chance of advancing as one of the four best third-placed teams in Sunday’s Group E encounter.
Nigeria’s Flamingos had already secured their knockout-stage place with a 3-1 victory over Korea DPR, completing their group campaign on a high.
Ghana qualified with a 2-0 win over Canada in Group C on Saturday, while Morocco advanced among the best third-placed teams after the latest results.
At the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Rabat, Ghana needed a victory to guarantee qualification and delivered through second-half goals from Linda Achiaa and Christiana Ashiaku.
Achiaa broke the deadlock in the 64th minute, scoring from close range just 35 seconds after coming on. Ashiaku sealed the win with a long-range effort in the fifth minute of stoppage time.
The result lifted Ghana to second in Group C with four points, behind Brazil, who finished top with seven after beating Norway 3-0.
Carol Melo opened the scoring in the 13th minute, and Sofia Gamonal doubled Brazil’s lead three minutes into the second half. Helena completed the victory by converting a stoppage-time penalty.
Norway finished bottom on goal difference and were eliminated. Canada ended with three points and must await the final third-place standings to learn their fate.
Japan and France Advance as Zambia Bow Out
In Group D, Japan maintained their perfect record with a 2-0 win over Venezuela, finishing top with nine points from three matches.
Mei Hanashiro opened the scoring in the eighth minute before Yuka Kishida added the second in the 66th, giving Japan three consecutive clean-sheet victories.
France also progressed after edging Zambia 1-0. Lea Motyka scored in the 16th minute to secure second place with six points.
Zambia finished without a point and were eliminated, while Venezuela placed third with three points and remain dependent on the final best third-placed-team standings.
France will face either the United States or China PR in the Round of 16, while Ghana are set to meet Argentina.
Kenya, China PR and Group F Teams in Focus
Sunday’s fixtures will determine the remaining qualification places and complete the group-stage picture.
China PR face the United States in Group E, while Samoa take on Kenya, who need a huge victory to retain any realistic chance of reaching the knockout stage.
In Group F, Chile meet Spain and Mexico face Australia as the remaining teams battle for qualification.
With Nigeria, Ghana and hosts Morocco already through, Africa’s attention turns to Kenya’s final match and the possibility of increasing the continent’s representation in the last 16.
The tournament continues in Morocco, with the knockout stage set to provide the next major test for the qualified teams.
