Nigeria vs Japan: FIFA Names All-North American Officials for U-17 WWC Final

FIFA has appointed a five-member officiating team comprising three Americans and two Canadians for Saturday’s 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup final between Nigeria and Japan.

American referee Natalie Simon will take charge of the highly anticipated encounter at Pitch 3 of the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Morocco.

She will be assisted by compatriots Katarzyna Wasiak and Kali Smith, while Canadian official Carly Shaw-McLaren will serve as the fourth official.

Another Canadian, Melissa Snedden, has been appointed as the reserve assistant referee for the final, scheduled to kick off at 7:30 p.m. West African Time.

The match presents Nigeria’s Flamingos with an opportunity to become the first African nation to win the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.