Nigeria won the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup for the first time after beating Japan 2-1 in Rabat, while Morocco used the tournament to assess its facilities and organisational systems ahead of co-hosting the 2030 World Cup with Spain and Portugal.
The final, played on Saturday, remained goalless until Nigeria took the lead through Owoo Bashiru in the 39th minute. Oluibobbie Omejiako doubled their advantage two minutes after half-time, before Fuki Ito pulled one back for Japan in the 80th minute.
Japan could not find an equaliser, with Nigeria securing a historic triumph. Omejiako was named the tournament’s best player, while Nigeria became the first African nation to win a Women’s World Cup at any level.
The competition involved 24 countries and comprised 52 matches. Morocco was the first African country to host the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, beginning a plan for the tournament to be staged annually in the country through to 2029. Morocco has been awarded five consecutive editions, running from 2025 to 2029.
Muhammad VI Football Complex at the centre
Morocco based much of its organisational model around the Muhammad VI Football Complex near Rabat. The site includes training pitches, accommodation, medical facilities and areas for teams to prepare, allowing organisers to limit travel for the participating nations and simplify logistical operations.
The final had initially been scheduled for Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium. However, FIFA announced on 28 October that the match would be moved to the Muhammad VI Football Complex so the closing stages of the tournament could be held at one venue.
The approach reflects Morocco’s wider effort to use its sports infrastructure for international competitions. Combining accommodation, training, medical and organisational facilities in one location is intended to strengthen the country’s ability to host teams, officials and major tournaments.
Infrastructure built with 2030 in mind
Morocco’s preparations are supported by investment that began several years before the country was awarded the 2030 World Cup. The Muhammad VI Football Complex, opened in December 2019, covers about 29 hectares and cost approximately $90m to build.
The country’s sporting network also includes stadiums, training centres, hotels, medical facilities and academies. These form part of a strategy designed to develop football and improve Morocco’s capacity to host international teams, clubs and competitions.
Those developments have coincided with stronger results for Morocco’s national sides. The senior team reached the semi-finals of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, becoming the first African side to achieve that feat, while Morocco’s youth team won the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup.
Hosting five successive editions of the U-17 Women’s World Cup gives Morocco repeated opportunities to review accommodation, transport, security, venue coordination, delegation management and match operations.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has praised Morocco’s ability to organise major sporting events on several occasions. He also congratulated Nigeria on its historic victory and expressed his appreciation to the host country after the final.
The 2030 World Cup will bring a considerably greater challenge because of the scale of the crowds, teams and stadiums, as well as the added complexity of travel between the three host countries. Morocco is continuing to use international youth tournaments to build experience and test its readiness.
