FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup
Japan will contest their fourth final, having previously reached the decider in 2010, 2014 and 2016. Their only title came in 2014, when they defeated Spain 2-0 in San Jose.
DPR Korea, meanwhile, will face Brazil in the third-place playoff.
“We don’t want to stop here. We’ll continue moving forward, prepare as well as we can for the final, and give everything we have to become world champions,” said Shirai.
The East Asian side have been ruthless on their way to this edition’s final, winning all three group matches without conceding. They fell behind against Kenya in the Round of 16 but recovered to win 3-1, before edging Ghana to reach the semi-finals.
Japan then came from behind against DPR Korea, forcing a shootout with a late equaliser before prevailing on penalties.
The East Asian side have been ruthless on their way to this edition’s final, winning all three group matches without conceding. They fell behind against Kenya in the Round of 16 but recovered to win 3-1, before edging Ghana to reach the semi-finals.
Japan then came from behind against DPR Korea, forcing a shootout with a late equaliser before prevailing on penalties.
Shirai was proud of the collective resolve his side showed in the semi-final.
“Everyone, including the players on the bench and all the coaching staff, kept fighting until the very end. I believe that collective determination was what ultimately led to our late equaliser,” he said.
“Everyone, including the players on the bench and all the coaching staff, kept fighting until the very end. I believe that collective determination was what ultimately led to our late equaliser,” he said.
Nigeria, meanwhile, will make their first appearance in an U-17 Women’s World Cup final. Their previous best finish was third place in 2022, and they will be aiming to complete a remarkable run by claiming their maiden title.
The African side lost their opening match 2-1 to Poland and needed goalkeeper Jane Ijirigho’s heroics to edge Puerto Rico.
Their campaign changed with a 3-1 win over two-time defending champions DPR Korea, and they carried that momentum through victories over Mexico, Venezuela and Brazil to reach the final.
The African side lost their opening match 2-1 to Poland and needed goalkeeper Jane Ijirigho’s heroics to edge Puerto Rico.
Their campaign changed with a 3-1 win over two-time defending champions DPR Korea, and they carried that momentum through victories over Mexico, Venezuela and Brazil to reach the final.
Fixtures
Third-place Playoff
DPR Korea v Brazil
Venue: Mohammed VI Football Complex - Pitch 2
Kick-off: Saturday, 15:00 (UTC+0)
Final
Japan v Nigeria
Venue: Mohammed VI Football Complex - Pitch 3
Kick-off: Saturday, 18:30 (UTC+0)
Third-place Playoff
DPR Korea v Brazil
Venue: Mohammed VI Football Complex - Pitch 2
Kick-off: Saturday, 15:00 (UTC+0)
Final
Japan v Nigeria
Venue: Mohammed VI Football Complex - Pitch 3
Kick-off: Saturday, 18:30 (UTC+0)
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