U20 WWC: African nations discover group-stage opponents after draw concludes in Poland

The draws for the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup (WWC) in Poland have concluded, with all four participating African countries discovering their group-stage opponents ahead of the highly anticipated competition.

​The draw ceremony was held on Friday, in Lodz, Poland. The global tournament is set to kick off on September 5, featuring 24 countries from across the globe divided into six groups of four.

Representatives from Africa, Europe, Asia, North and South America, and Oceania were present as nations mapped out their path to the final.

​Tough test all around

​The Black Princesses of Ghana will be hoping to navigate a tricky Group C, where they have been drawn alongside powerhouse France, the Korea Republic, and Ecuador.

​Meanwhile, the Falconets of Nigeria, Africa’s most successful side in the tournament’s history, were placed in Group F. They will face former champions Spain, China PR, and New Caledonia in what many observers describe as a balanced but competitive group.

​Debutants handed challenging starts

​Tournament debutants Benin face a daunting first appearance on the world stage after being drawn in Group A alongside hosts Poland, Mexico, and Argentina. Benin will have the honor of opening their campaign against the host nation.

​Another debutant, Tanzania, was handed arguably the toughest draw of the African representatives. They have been placed in Group B with footballing giants Brazil, England, and Canada.

The 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup is scheduled to take place from September 5 to September 27, 2026. Matches will be hosted across four Polish cities: Bielsko-Biała, Katowice, Łódź, and Sosnowiec.

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