FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup

The FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup is an international association football tournament, organized by FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association), for national teams of women under the age of 20. The tournament is held in even-numbered years. It was first held in 2002 as the FIFA U-19 Women's World Championship with an upper age limit of 19. In 2006, the age limit was raised to the current 20. The event was renamed as a World Cup since the 2008 competition, making its name consistent with FIFA's other worldwide competitions for national teams.

FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup
The trophy awarded to the champions
Organising bodyFIFA
Founded2002; 22 years ago (2002)
RegionInternational
Number of teams24 (finals)
Related competitionsFIFA U-20 World Cup
Current champions Spain (1st title)
Most successful team(s) Germany
 United States
(3 titles each)
Websitefifa.com/u20womensworldcup
2024 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup

Starting with the 2010 edition, tournaments held in years immediately preceding the FIFA Women's World Cup are awarded as part of the bidding process for the Women's World Cup. In those years, the U-20 Women's World Cup serves as a test event for the host nation of the Women's World Cup, a role similar to that of the former FIFA Confederations Cup in the men's game.

The current champions are Spain, who won their first title at the 2022 tournament in Costa Rica.

Qualification

Each continental governing body has its own qualifying tournament, but Africa does not determine a champion.

ConfederationQualifier
AFC (Asia)AFC U-20 Women's Asian Cup
CAF (Africa)African U-20 Women's World Cup qualification
CONCACAF (North, Central America and Caribbean)CONCACAF Women's U-20 Championship
CONMEBOL (South America)South American Under-20 Women's Football Championship
OFC (Oceania)OFC U-20 Women's Championship
UEFA (Europe)UEFA Women's U-19 Championship

History

2002

The first women's world championship at the youth level, held as the 2002 FIFA U-19 Women's World Championship, with an age limit of 19, was hosted by Canada. The final, held at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton, drew a surprisingly large crowd of 47,000 to watch the hosts play the United States. The US defeated Canada 1–0 on a golden goal by Lindsay Tarpley. Canada's Christine Sinclair was the adidas Golden Ball recipient, as tournament MVP, and the Golden Shoe (10 goals) winner.

2004

The 2004 FIFA U-19 Women's World Championship was held in Thailand. For the second time in a row, the current holders of the senior World Cup, Germany, won the youth competition. The Golden Ball went to Brazilian star, Marta, while for the second time the Golden Boot went to a Canadian, Brittany Timko.

2006

FIFA raised the women's youth championship age limit to 20 to match the men's, beginning with the 2006 FIFA U-20 Women's World Championship, held in Russia from 17 August through 3 September.

The competition was held in four Moscow stadiums (Dinamo, Lokomotiv, Podmoskovie Stadium and Torpedo Stadion) and one in St. Petersburg (Petrovskiy Stadion).

Korea DPR won the final 5–0 over China PR.

2008

The 2008 FIFA U-20 Women's World Championship was held in Chile, from 20 November to 7 December 2008.[1]

Six years after winning their first championship at the youth level in 2002, the United States reclaimed the trophy with a 2–1 win over defending champions Korea DPR. The Golden Ball and the Golden Shoe went to Sydney Leroux of the United States.

2010

The 2010 edition of the tournament was held in Germany from 13 July to 1 August 2010. The host nation defeated Nigeria in the final to claim its second championship. It was the first time that an African nation had advanced as far as the semifinals. It was also the first tournament in which four different confederations were represented in the semifinals. The Golden Ball and Golden Shoe awards both went to Alexandra Popp of Germany.

2012

Third-place match between Japan and Nigeria at the 2012 edition

The 2012 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup was played in Japan from 19 August to 8 September,[2] after initially having a hosting bid from Vietnam withdrawn and a bid from Uzbekistan rejected. The Golden Ball went to Dzsenifer Marozsán of Germany, while the Golden Shoe went to Kim Un-hwa of North Korea.

2014

The 2014 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup was held in Canada from 5–25 August 2014, who reprised its role as host after a Zimbabwean bid withdrew leaving the Canadian bid unopposed. The Golden Ball and Golden Shoe awards both went to Asisat Oshoala of Nigeria.

2016

The 2016 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup was expected to be held in South Africa, but due to the country's withdrawal, a new host was chosen on 19 March 2015, and it was Papua New Guinea.[3]

2018

The 2018 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup was held in France from 5–24 August 2018; a year later France would host the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup. The Golden Ball and Golden Shoe awards both went to Patricia Guijarro of Spain.

2020

The 2020 edition was initially to be hosted jointly by Costa Rica and Panama in August 2020. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic it has been postponed to January 2021, to be solely hosted by Costa Rica. Due to having the highest COVID-19 cases and deaths in the region, Panama withdrew from hosting this event along with the 2022 Central American and Caribbean Games.[4] The tournament was initially postponed to 2021, subject to further monitoring.[5] On 17 November 2020, FIFA announced that the 2020 edition of the tournament would be cancelled.[6]

2022

Following the cancellation of the 2020 edition, Costa Rica were appointed as hosts of the tournament in 2022.[6]

2024

As of 2024 the tournament will be expanded from 16 to 24 teams.[7] Colombia was selected as host on 23 June 2023.[8]

2026

Poland was selected as host on 17 December 2023.[9]

Results

Tournament name
  • 2002–2004: "FIFA U-19 Women's World Championship"
  • 2006: "FIFA U-20 Women's World Championship"
  • 2008–present: "FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup"
Keys
Ed.YearHostFinalThird place gameNum.
teams
ChampionsScore Runners-up Third placeScoreFourth place
12002  Canada
United States
1–0 (g.g.)
Canada

Germany
1–1
(4–3 p)

Brazil
12
22004  Thailand
Germany
2–0
China

United States
3–0
Brazil
12
32006  Russia
North Korea
5–0
China

Brazil
0–0 (a.e.t.)
(6–5 p)

United States
16
42008  Chile
United States
2–1
North Korea

Germany
5–3
France
16
52010  Germany
Germany
2–0
Nigeria

South Korea
1–0
Colombia
16
62012  Japan
United States
1–0
Germany

Japan
2–1
Nigeria
16
72014  Canada
Germany
1–0 (a.e.t.)
Nigeria

France
3–2
North Korea
16
82016  Papua New Guinea
North Korea
3–1
France

Japan
1–0
United States
16
92018  France
Japan
3–1
Spain

England
1–1 (a.e.t.)
(4–2 p)

France
16
102022  Costa Rica
Spain
3–1
Japan

Brazil
4–1
Netherlands
16
112024  Colombia24
122026  Poland24
Map of countries' best results

Teams reaching the top four

TeamTitlesRunners-upThird placeFourth place
 Germany3 (2004, 2010, 2014)1 (2012)2 (2002, 2008)
 United States3 (2002, 2008, 2012)1 (2004)2 (2006, 2016)
 North Korea2 (2006, 2016)1 (2008)1 (2014)
 Japan1 (2018)1 (2022)2 (2012, 2016)
 Spain1 (2022)1 (2018)
 Nigeria2 (2010, 2014)1 (2012)
China PR2 (2004, 2006)
 France1 (2016)1 (2014)2 (2008, 2018)
 Canada1 (2002)
 Brazil2 (2006, 2022)2 (2002, 2004)
 South Korea1 (2010)
 England1 (2018)
 Colombia1 (2010)
 Netherlands1 (2022)

Awards


Julie Johnston, Dzsenifer Marozsán and Hanae Shibata with their awards at the 2012 edition.
Golden Boot

The topscorer award.

TournamentWinnerGoals
2002 Canada Christine Sinclair11
2004 Thailand Brittany Timko7
2006 Russia Ma Xiaoxu5
2008 Chile Sydney Leroux5
2010 Germany Alexandra Popp10
2012 Japan Kim Un-hwa7
2014 Canada Asisat Oshoala7
2016 Papua New Guinea Mami Ueno5
2018 France Patricia Guijarro6
2022 Costa Rica Inma Gabarro8
2024 Colombia
2026 Poland

FIFA Fair Play Trophy
TournamentWinner
2002 Canada  Japan
2004 Thailand  United States
2006 Russia  Russia
2008 Chile  United States
2010 Germany  South Korea
2012 Japan  Japan
2014 Canada  Canada
2016 Papua New Guinea  Japan
2018 France  Japan
2022 Costa Rica  Japan
2024 Colombia
2026 Poland

Comprehensive team results in each World Cup

Legend
  • 1st — Champions
  • 2nd — Runners-up
  • 3rd — Third place
  • 4th — Fourth place
  • QF – Quarter-finals
  • GS – Group stage
  •  •  — Did not qualify
  •  ×  — Did not enter / Withdrew / To be determined
  • XX — Country did not exist or national team was inactive
  •    — Hosts
  • Q – Qualified for upcoming tournament

For each tournament, the flag of the host country and the number of teams in each finals tournament (in brackets) are shown.

TeamConfederation2002

(12)
2004

(12)
2006

(16)
2008

(16)
2010

(16)
2012

(16)
2014

(16)
2016

(16)
2018

(16)
2022

(16)
2024

(24)
2026

(24)
Total
 ArgentinaCONMEBOLGSGSGS3
 AustraliaAFC[A]QFQFGSGSQ5
 AustriaUEFAQ1
 BrazilCONMEBOL4th4th3rdQFGSGSGSQFGS3rd10
 CameroonCAF××××Q1
 CanadaCONCACAF2ndQFGSGSGSQFGSGSQ9
 ChileCONMEBOLGS1
 ChinaAFC2nd2ndGSGSGSGS6
 Chinese TaipeiAFCGS1
 ColombiaCONMEBOL4thQFQ3
 Costa RicaCONCACAFGSGSGSQ4
 DenmarkUEFAQF1
 DR CongoCAF×GSGS××2
 EnglandUEFAQFQFGSGS3rd5
 FijiOFC××××××Q1
 FinlandUEFAGSGS2
 FranceUEFAGSQF4thGS3rd2nd4thQFQ9
 GermanyUEFA3rd1stQF3rd1st2nd1stQFQFGSQ11
 GhanaCAF××GSGSGSGSGSGSQ7
 HaitiCONCACAFGS×1
 ItalyUEFAGSGS2
 JapanAFCQFQFGS3rd3rd1st2ndQ8
 MexicoCONCACAFGSGSGSQFQFGSQFGSQFQ10
 MoroccoCAF×××Q1
 NetherlandsUEFAQF4thQ3
 New ZealandOFCGSGSGSGSQFGSGSGSQ9
 NigeriaCAFGSQFQFQF2nd4th2ndGSQFQFQ11
 North KoreaAFC1st2ndQFQF4th1stQF×Q8
 NorwayUEFAGSQF2
 Papua New GuineaOFCGS1
 ParaguayCONMEBOLGSGS2
 PolandUEFAQ1
 RussiaUEFAQFQF×2
 South KoreaAFCGS3rdQFQFGSGSQ7
 SpainUEFAGSQF2nd1stQ5
 SwedenUEFAQFGS2
  SwitzerlandUEFAGSGSGS3
 ThailandAFCGS1
 United StatesCONCACAF1st3rd4th1stQF1stQF4thGSGSQ11
 VenezuelaCONMEBOLGS1

Debut of national teams

YearDebuting teams
TeamsNo.Cum.
2002  Australia,  Brazil,  Canada,  Chinese Taipei,  Denmark ,  England,  France,  Germany,  Japan,  Mexico,  Nigeria,  United States1212
2004  China,  Italy,  Russia,  South Korea,  Spain,  Thailand618
2006  Argentina,  DR Congo,  Finland,  New Zealand,  North Korea ,   Switzerland624
2008  Chile,  Norway226
2010  Colombia,  Costa Rica,  Ghana,  Sweden430
2012None030
2014  Paraguay131
2016  Papua New Guinea,  Venezuela233
2018  Haiti,  Netherlands235
2022None035
2024  Austria,  Cameroon,  Fiji,  Morocco439
2026  Poland140

Results by confederation

   — Hosts are from this confederation

AFC

2002

(12)
2004

(12)
2006

(16)
2008

(16)
2010

(16)
2012

(16)
2014

(16)
2016

(16)
2018

(16)
2022

(16)
2024

(24)
2026

(24)
Total
Teams23333433334438
Top 8112223222118
Top 4012111121111
Top 201210001117
1st 3
2nd 4
3rd 3
4th 1

CAF

2002

(12)
2004

(12)
2006

(16)
2008

(16)
2010

(16)
2012

(16)
2014

(16)
2016

(16)
2018

(16)
2022

(16)
2024

(24)
2026

(24)
Total
Teams11222222224426
Top 801111110118
Top 400001110003
Top 200001010002
1st0
2nd 2
3rd0
4th 1

CONCACAF

2002

(12)
2004

(12)
2006

(16)
2008

(16)
2010

(16)
2012

(16)
2014

(16)
2016

(16)
2018

(16)
2022

(16)
2024

(24)
2026

(24)
Total
Teams32333343344439
Top 8221122220115
Top 421110101007
Top 220010100004
1st 3
2nd 1
3rd 1
4th 2

CONMEBOL

2002

(12)
2004

(12)
2006

(16)
2008

(16)
2010

(16)
2012

(16)
2014

(16)
2016

(16)
2018

(16)
2022

(16)
2024

(24)
2026

(24)
Total
Teams11232222225428
Top 811111001028
Top 411101000015
Top 200000000000
1st0
2nd0
3rd 2
4th 3

OFC

2002

(12)
2004

(12)
2006

(16)
2008

(16)
2010

(16)
2012

(16)
2014

(16)
2016

(16)
2018

(16)
2022

(16)
2024

(24)
2026

(24)
Total
Teams11111112112215
Top 811000010003
Top 400000000000
Top 200000000000
1st0
2nd0
3rd0
4th0

UEFA

2002

(12)
2004

(12)
2006

(16)
2008

(16)
2010

(16)
2012

(16)
2014

(16)
2016

(16)
2018

(16)
2022

(16)
2024

(24)
2026

(24)
Total
Teams44545444545654
Top 8323322235328
Top 4110211213214
Top 201001111117
1st 4
2nd 3
3rd 4
4th 3

See also

References

External links