Nigeria’s Oluebube Umejiaku has emerged as the best player at the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, claiming the adidas Golden Ball after playing a decisive role in the Flamingos’ historic championship victory.
The Nigerian forward received the tournament’s top individual honour following Nigeria’s 2-1 defeat of Japan in Saturday’s final in Rabat, Morocco, where she scored one of the goals that secured the country’s maiden title.
Umejiaku finished the competition with four goals, earning recognition for her outstanding performances throughout Nigeria’s campaign and becoming the tournament’s most distinguished individual player.
Her award further underlined Nigeria’s dominance at the competition, where the Flamingos became the first African team to lift the U-17 Women’s World Cup trophy since the tournament began in 2008.
DPR Korea’s Yu Jong-hyang claimed the Silver Ball, while Japan’s Fuki Ito received the Bronze Ball.
In the goalscoring category, United States forward Maddie DiMaria emerged as the tournament’s leading scorer with 12 goals to win the Golden Boot. Yu Jong-hyang took the Silver Boot, while DPR Korea’s Ri Ui-gyong received the Bronze Boot.
DPR Korea also produced the tournament’s best goalkeeper, with Kim Son-gyong winning the Golden Glove, while Japan received the FIFA Fair Play Trophy.
The complete list of individual award winners is:
* Golden Ball: Oluebube Umejiaku (Nigeria)
* Silver Ball: Yu Jong-hyang (DPR Korea)
* Bronze Ball: Fuki Ito (Japan)
* Golden Boot: Maddie DiMaria (United States)
* Silver Boot: Yu Jong-hyang (DPR Korea)
* Bronze Boot: Ri Ui-gyong (DPR Korea)
* Golden Glove: Kim Son-gyong (DPR Korea)
* FIFA Fair Play Trophy: Japan
