Oluebube Umejiaku of Nigeria bagged the Golden Ball after scoring the winner in the final.
Umejiaku, Maddie DiMaria of the United States of America (USA) and Kim Son-gyong, DPR Korea goalkeeper, were honoured for their beautiful performances at the FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup 2026 hosted in Morocco.
Nigeria defeated Japan 2-1 to emerge Queens of the World for the first time ever with Umejiaku’s goal proving decisive in the contest. The goal against the Little Nadeshiko was the Nigerian forward’s fourth in the tournament.
Even with the USA getting knocked out of the tournament in the quarter finals, Maddie DiMaria collected the Golden Boot with a record 12-goal haul. DiMaria scored a whopping six (6) goals against Samoa in a 17-0 whitewash against the Island country.
DiMaria netted four (4) goals against Kenya in a 6-1 victory; one (1) against China in a 2-3 loss; and one (1) against Spain in a 2-1 victory.
The Americans’ campaign came to an end when they collided with the North Koreans and were dumped out following a 0-3 loss.
Kim Son-gyong, goalkeeper of DPR Korea, was outstanding all through the tournament. She won the Golden Glove having helped her country clinch bronze.
DPR Korea bagged almost all the awards, returning home with four (4) out of eight (8) awards.
Full List of Award Winners
Golden Ball
Oluebube Umejiaku | Nigeria
Silver Ball
Yu Jong-hyang | DPR Korea
Bronze Ball
Fuki Ito | Japan
Golden Boot
Maddie DiMaria | United States of America (USA)
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
Photos: fifa.com
