Nigeria’s Falconets have replaced captain Joy Igbokwe and midfielder Faridat Abdulwahab after the duo failed to secure visas for the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Poland.
Igbokwe and Abdulwahab were unable to travel with the squad on Monday due to unresolved visa issues, prompting the Nigeria Football Federation to bring in Vivian Kachi and Alaba Olabiyi as replacements.
The Falconets arrived in Poland on Tuesday with 20 players and began training the following day at the Stadion Miejski, Fair Play Arena, as they intensified preparations for the tournament.
Striker Janet Akekoromowei could also miss the competition despite arriving in Poland, following reports that her club, Benfica, has yet to release her for the tournament.
The former Bayelsa Queens forward suffered a serious injury during the qualifiers in February, with her rehabilitation reportedly supported by the Portuguese club.
The Falconets will play two warm-up matches before the World Cup, facing hosts Poland on August 28 and South Korea on September 1.
Nigeria will compete in Group F alongside Spain, China PR and New Caledonia. The Falconets will face Spain on September 7, China PR on September 10 and New Caledonia on September 13.
The Nigerian side, runners-up in 2010 and 2014, will be aiming to claim their first FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup title in Poland.
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