Ghana’s Black Maidens opened their 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup campaign with a 0-3 defeat to Norway on Sunday, October 18, at the Mohammed VI Football Complex Pitch 3 in Salé/Rabat, Morocco.
The Group C match kicked off at 18:00 GMT. Norway scored early and controlled the contest, with Ghana unable to find a reply despite some second-half substitutions and efforts.
Norway took the lead in the 6th/7th minute through midfielder Sara Isabella Lepore assisted by Hanne Nesse, who finished into the top corner.
They doubled the advantage in the 13th minute when forward Maia Melgård scored from around 16 meters also assisted by Nesse.
At half-time the score was 2-0 to Norway. In the second half, Ghana made changes (including Belinda Kpentey and Cynthia Obinsrewuo around the 52nd minute), but Norway remained solid. Melgård added her second and Norway’s third goal in the 80th minute (assisted by Mie Hoem), sealing the 3-0 win.
Additional Norwegian substitutions later in the game (including Mia Sofie Reinhardt, Diana Wilson Kumi, and others) helped manage the lead.
This result marks a strong start for Norway coached by Elise Brotangen in their second appearance at the tournament. They had previously exited at the group stage in 2025 without a win.
The Black Maidens, coached by Joe Nana Adarkwa, returned to the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup after missing recent editions despite having a solid history in the competition, including a bronze medal in 2012 and three quarter-final appearances.
The loss leaves the Black Maidens needing strong results in their remaining games to stay in contention for the knockout stages.
Ghana’s remaining fixtures:
• Thursday, October 22 vs Brazil (18:00 GMT, same venue)
• Saturday, October 24 vs Canada (15:00 GMT, Pitch 1)
The top two teams in each group, plus the four best third-placed sides, advance to the round of 16 in the expanded 24-team tournament running until earl November.
