Ghana and Zambia endured disappointing starts to the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco, losing their opening matches to Norway and Japan, respectively.
While Ghana’s Black Maidens fell 3-0 to Norway, Zambia’s Copper Queens suffered a heavier 5–0 defeat against Japan.
Norway made a strong statement with a convincing win over Ghana, bouncing back from a disappointing 2025 campaign in which they lost all three matches without scoring a goal.
The Norwegians took the lead in the sixth minute when Isabella Lepore unleashed a superb long-range strike from about 30 metres. Maia Melgård doubled the advantage seven minutes later, finishing a well-coordinated team move with a curling left-footed effort to put Ghana under early pressure.
Despite creating a few promising chances, the Black Maidens struggled to find their rhythm in the final third, with Norway proving more clinical in front of goal.
Melgård completed her brace in the 80th minute, finishing off a corner-kick routine with another well-placed left-footed shot to seal Norway’s 3–0 victory.
The result gives Norway an ideal start to its campaign and offers a measure of redemption following last year’s disappointing outing.
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Japan Dominate Zambia in 5–0 Rout
Zambia also had a difficult opening encounter, suffering a comprehensive 5–0 defeat to Japan.
The Copper Queens were put under pressure from the outset, conceding twice within the opening 13 minutes.
Nanami Kurita opened the scoring in the ninth minute, converting a cutback from Mei Hanashiro. Four minutes later, Zambia’s Grace Phiri turned the ball into her own net while attempting to deflect an effort from Sayana Hoshita, extending Japan’s lead to 2–0.
Japan continued to control proceedings after the break, with Wara Shimizu making it 3–0 in the 72nd minute following a corner kick. Kurita then grabbed her second goal of the match in the 88th minute, capitalising on an excellent delivery from Fuki Ito. Asuka Tanaka completed the rout in stoppage time with an impressive individual effort, sealing a dominant victory for the Japanese side.
The result gives Japan a flying start in Group D, while Zambia must regroup quickly ahead of its next fixture.
Both African sides will be eager to bounce back from their opening defeats as they seek to revive their campaigns at the tournament in Morocco.
