Nigeria’s preparations for the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup have received a fresh twist after Group F opponents China announced a change in their coaching crew, with Colin Bell relieved of his duties as head coach of the Chinese U-20 women’s national team.

The 2026 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup will be the 12th edition, held from 5–27 September, and it will also be the first time that Poland has hosted a FIFA women's tournament.

The Chinese Football Association has appointed Wang Jun as Bell’s replacement, handing the new coach the responsibility of leading the Young Steel Roses into this year’s FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup.

China have been drawn in Group F alongside Nigeria, Spain, and New Caledonia, setting up a highly competitive battle for qualification to the knockout stage.

As part of preparations for the global tournament, China will hold a second training camp from July 6 to July 10, 2026, at the Kunming Haigeng Sports Training Base in Yunnan Province, where Wang Jun will begin work with his newly assembled squad.

The coaching change comes at a crucial stage of China’s World Cup preparations, giving Wang Jun limited time to stamp his authority on the team before the competition begins.

For Nigeria’s Falconets, the development presents another intriguing storyline ahead of the tournament. The nine-time African champions will be aiming to progress from a difficult group that also features reigning European powerhouse Spain, while China will hope a change in leadership can provide the spark needed to challenge for a place in the knockout rounds.

With all four teams intensifying preparations, Group F is shaping up to be one of the most closely contested groups at the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup.