Ghana’s Black Maidens have been drawn against Norway, Brazil and Canada in Group C of the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco.
The Ghanaian side will begin their campaign this Sunday as they seek to make a strong impression on their return to the global youth competition.
Head coach Nana Joe Adarkwa and his technical team face a demanding group-stage challenge, with the Black Maidens needing consistency, tactical discipline and clinical finishing to compete against their three opponents.
Brazil are traditionally a strong force in women’s football, while Norway and Canada will also provide difficult tests for Ghana’s young players. The Black Maidens will therefore need to approach each fixture with concentration and confidence as they pursue qualification for the knockout stage.
Ghana secured their place at the tournament after defeating Senegal 7-6 on penalties following a 1-1 draw in the second leg of their final qualifying tie at the Accra Sports Stadium.
The qualification marked an important achievement for the team, which is now looking to make the most of its opportunity on the world stage.
Adarkwa has named a 21-player squad comprising three goalkeepers, seven defenders, six midfielders and five forwards for the competition. The selected players will be expected to combine defensive organisation with attacking quality as Ghana face the challenges of Group C.
Their opening match on Sunday will be particularly important in setting the tone for the remainder of the group stage. A positive result could provide the team with valuable momentum ahead of their subsequent encounters against Brazil and Canada.
The Black Maidens will be aiming to progress beyond the group stage and demonstrate Ghana’s potential in women’s youth football as the tournament brings together some of the best emerging talents from around the world.
With their opening fixture approaching, attention will now turn to how Ghana handle the pressure and rise to the challenge of competing against Norway, Brazil and Canada in Morocco.
