BY OJO SAMSON AYOMIDE
The draw for the 12th edition of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup has taken place in Lodz, Poland, with a host of fascinating encounters promised across the six groups.
Each of the 24 teams now know their group-stage opponents and subsequent pathways at the tournament, with the final set to take place on 27 September in Lodz.
The hosts have been joined in Group A alongside Argentina, Benin and Mexico, while reigning champions Korea DPR have been placed in Group E with Colombia, Costa Rica and Portugal.
- Group A: Poland, Mexico, Argentina, Benin
- Group B: Brazil, England, Canada, Tanzania
- Group C: France, Korea Republic, Ghana, Ecuador
- Group D: Japan, USA, New Zealand, Italy
- Group E: Korea DPR, Colombia, Costa Rica, Portugal
- Group F: Spain, Nigeria, China PR, New Caledonia
There are a number of repeat fixtures at the global showpiece. France previously met Korea Republic in the group stage of Costa Rica 2022, which Les Bleuettes won 1-0. Brazil downed Canada 2-0 at Costa Rica 2024, where Korea DPR trounced Costa Rica 9-0. Meanwhile, Japan defeated USA at both the 2018 and 2022 tournaments.
The FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup 2026™, which will be Poland’s first-ever major global women’s tournament, will be contested across four host cities: Bielsko-Biała, Katowice, Lodz and Sosnowiec.
Among the first-time participants are Benin, Ecuador, New Caledonia, hosts Poland, Portugal and Tanzania. Meanwhile, Korea DPR and USA will each be seeking a record fourth title.