Three African nations — Nigeria, Ghana, and Zambia — have lost matches at the ongoing 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco after losing their respective opening matches of the tournament.

Nigeria’s Flamingos, Ghana’s Black Maidens and Zambia’s U-17 women’s team all began their campaigns with disappointing results against European and Asian opposition, leaving the African representatives with work to do in their remaining group-stage fixtures.

Nigeria were the first of the three African sides to suffer defeat, losing 2–1 to Poland in their Group B encounter on Saturday.

Poland scored twice through Wiktoria Skrzypczak, who converted a penalty in the 33rd minute, and Natalia Skrok, who added the second in the 65th minute.

Oluebube Umejiaku pulled one back for Nigeria in the 79th minute, but the Flamingos could not find an equalizer.

The result leaves Nigeria needing to respond in their next Group B fixture as they pursue qualification for the knockout stage.

Ghana also endured a difficult start, losing 3–0 to Norway in their Group C opener on Sunday.

The Black Maidens were unable to prevent the Norwegian side from securing a comfortable victory, leaving them with no points from their first match.

Ghana will now turn their attention to their remaining group fixtures against Brazil and Canada as they seek to recover from the setback.

Zambia suffered the heaviest defeat among the three African teams, falling 5–0 to Japan in their Group D encounter on Sunday.

Japan took control early, with Nanami Kurita scoring in the ninth minute before Gift Mazimba's own goal extended their advantage five minutes later.

Wara Shimizu scored Japan's third goal in the 72nd minute, while Kurita completed her brace in the 88th minute.

Asuka Tanaka added the fifth in stoppage time to seal the emphatic victory.

The result leaves Zambia facing an uphill task in their remaining group matches against France and Venezuela.

While Nigeria, Ghana, and Zambia suffered defeats, hosts Morocco gave African football a boost with a 4–0 victory over New Zealand in their opening Group A fixture.

The result offered a contrasting start for the Atlas Lionesses, who will hope to build on their home victory as the competition progresses.

The 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup runs from October 17 to November 7 in Morocco, with 24 nations competing for the title.

With the group stage still underway, Nigeria, Ghana, and Zambia will be looking to bounce back in their upcoming matches and keep their hopes of reaching the knockout rounds alive.