By Adedapo Adesanya
The Nigerian U-20 Women’s football team, the Falconets, will play against France, Canada and the Korea Republic in Group C at the FIFA World Cup in Costa Rica this year.
From August 10 to 28, some of the world’s best young players and future superstars of the women’s game will disturb the grasses in Costa Rica at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup.
The draw for the tournament was held on Thursday evening at the Teatro Nacional in San José, revealing the pathway to glory for the 16 participating teams and fans around the world.
Athlete and TV presenter Johanna Solano presented the draw and was joined by Costa Rican football icons Shirley Cruz and Paulo César Wanchope along with draw conductor Jaime Yarza, FIFA’s Director of Tournaments.
Nigeria, which has not won the tournament but came close to winning it twice, will face fierce rivals which have also never lifted the trophy.
Costa Rica will kick off their campaign at the tournament against FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 co-hosts, Australia, and will be joined by Brazil and Spain in Group A.
Reigning champions, Japan, were drawn in Group D together with Netherlands, Ghana and USA while Group B features Germany which defeated Nigeria in the 2010 and 2014 finals alongside Colombia, New Zealand, and Mexico.
After crashing out in the quarter-finals of the 2018 edition in France, the Falconets would be aiming to challenge for the title but have to go through the French team, Canada and the Korean Republic.
Only four countries, namely Germany, Brazil, USA and Nigeria have played in all editions of the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup since the competition was launched as a U19 championship in Canada 20 years ago.
Germany has won the championship thrice (2004, 2010 and 2014); the USA has won thrice (2002, 2008 and 2012); North Korea won the tournament in 2006, and Japan won in 2018.
Due to COVID-19, the tournament was initially postponed to 2021, subject to further monitoring but on November 17, 2020, FIFA announced that the 2020 edition of the tournament would be cancelled and the 2022 edition was given to Costa Rica.
This year’s final match will be played at the same two venues that hosted the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup in 2014: Estadio Nacional in San José and the Morera Solo Stadium in Alajuela.
Full Groups
Group A: Costa Rica, Australia, Spain Brazil
Group B: Germany, Colombia, New Zealand, Mexico
Group C France, Nigeria, Canada, Korea Republic
Group D: Japan, Netherlands, Ghana, USA.
Modupe Gbadeyanka 
Dipo Olowookere