Ghana’s Black Maidens have returned home following their quarter-final appearance at the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco.

The team arrived in Ghana on Monday after an impressive campaign that saw them reach the last eight. They defeated Argentina 5-4 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in the Round of 16 before suffering a narrow 1-0 defeat to Japan in the quarter-finals.

President of the Ghana Football Association, Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku, welcomed the team in Accra on Monday, congratulating the players and technical staff for their efforts and commitment throughout the tournament.

He praised the team’s discipline, resilience and fighting spirit, while commending head coach Joe Nana Adarkwa and his technical staff for guiding the side to the quarter-finals despite injury and suspension setbacks.

President Simeon-Okraku assured the team of the Association’s continued support and commitment to developing women’s youth football.

The campaign also featured notable performances from Jessica Appiah Asamoah, Cynthia Obinsrewuo, Seidatu Wahab, Rafia Osman, Gloria Adomako Ameaa and goalkeeper Belinda Maku Aklie, whose contributions helped Ghana make a strong impression on the world stage.

Nigeria’s Flamingos are the only African team remaining in the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup after booking their place in the semi-finals with a narrow 1-0 victory over Venezuela in the quarter-finals.

The West Africans secured their passage to the last four on Sunday, November 1, thanks to a late penalty from captain Azeezat Oduntan in the 89th minute. The decisive strike ended Venezuela’s resistance and kept Nigeria’s hopes of winning the competition alive.

Nigeria’s qualification means Africa’s representation in the tournament now rests solely on the Flamingos following Ghana’s 1-0 defeat to Japan.

Ghana’s Black Maidens bowed out after a closely contested encounter, with Nanami Kurita scoring Japan’s winning goal in the 54th minute. Despite a determined defensive effort, the defeat ended Ghana’s campaign at the quarter-final stage.

The other quarter-final results also produced impressive performances from the remaining contenders. Defending champions DPR Korea defeated the United States 3-0, with Ri Ui-gyong scoring twice and Ri Ye-rim adding another goal to secure their semi-final ticket.

Brazil completed the final-four line-up with a 2-1 comeback victory over China PR. China took the lead through Wu Yichen in the 42nd minute, but Helena equalised immediately after the restart before scoring again in the 88th minute to send Brazil through.

Semi-final fixtures

The semi-finals will take place on Wednesday, November 4, with two exciting encounters scheduled.

Japan will face DPR Korea at 2:00 pm in an all-Asian showdown. Japan advanced after eliminating Ghana, while DPR Korea continued their title defence with a convincing victory over the United States.

In the second semi-final, Brazil will take on Nigeria at 5:30 pm. The Flamingos will be aiming to overcome the South American side and secure a place in the final as Africa’s last representatives.

With four teams remaining, the race for the 2026 title is entering its decisive stage, and Nigeria will carry the continent’s hopes into the final four.

Ghana’s Black Maidens have exited the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup following a narrow 1-0 defeat to Japan in their quarter-final encounter in Morocco.

Nanami Kurita scored the only goal of the match in the 54th minute to send Japan into the semi-finals and bring Ghana’s campaign to an end.

The Black Maidens found it difficult to break down the technically gifted Japanese side and struggled to create the breakthrough needed to get back into the contest.

Despite the defeat, Ghana’s defensive unit put up a determined performance, with the goalkeeper and defenders working hard to contain Japan and prevent the scoreline from becoming more damaging. By conceding just one goal, Ghana recorded the fewest goals conceded by any team against Japan at the tournament.

Defender Latifa Musah was Ghana’s highest-rated player, earning an impressive rating of 7.9. Captain Rafia Osman followed with 7.5, while fellow defender Juliana Gyekyewaa recorded a rating of 7.0.

Goalkeeper Belinda Maku Aklie was rated 6.9, placing fourth among Ghana’s players, while defender Seraphina Essenam completed the top five with a rating of 6.5.

Although Ghana will be disappointed to see their World Cup journey end at the quarter-final stage, the defensive resilience displayed against Japan was a notable positive from the encounter.

The Black Maidens bow out of the competition after an encouraging campaign that saw them reach the last eight, while Japan continue their pursuit of the title.

Africa will have just two representatives in the quarter-finals of the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco, with Ghana and Nigeria emerging as the continent’s remaining contenders following the conclusion of the Round of 16.

The Black Maidens and Nigeria’s Flamingos have secured places among the final eight, keeping Africa’s hopes of reaching the semi-finals alive after the elimination of Morocco and Kenya.

Ghana booked their quarter-final ticket following a dramatic 5-4 penalty shootout victory over Argentina after a 1-1 draw.

Nigeria also secured qualification with a 2-1 victory over Mexico, continuing their impressive campaign after recovering from an opening group-stage defeat to Poland.

However, the journey ended for hosts Morocco, who suffered a heavy 6-0 defeat to defending champions Korea DPR, while Kenya’s historic run was halted by Japan, who recorded a 3-1 victory over the Junior Starlets.

The outcome leaves Ghana and Nigeria as the only African nations in the quarter-final stage, following a historic group-stage campaign in which four African teams reached the Round of 16 for the first time.

Quarter-final fixtures

The quarter-finals will take place on Sunday, November 1, with Ghana facing Japan at 3:00 pm Ghana time.

Nigeria will take on Venezuela at 6:00 pm, while defending champions Korea DPR face the United States in another quarter-final encounter. Brazil will also battle China for a place in the last four.

For Ghana, the challenge is to overcome Japan and move beyond the quarter-final stage, while Nigeria will be aiming to maintain their momentum against Venezuela.

With two African nations still in contention, the continent will be looking to the Black Maidens and the Flamingos to carry its challenge forward and secure places in the semi-finals.