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.

Quick Facts Organising body, Founded ...
FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup
The trophy awarded to the champions
Organising bodyFIFA
Founded2002; 23 years ago (2002)
RegionInternational
Number of teams24 (finals)
Related competitionsFIFA U-20 World Cup
Current champions North Korea (3rd title)
Most successful team(s) Germany
 North Korea
 United States
(3 titles each)
Websitefifa.com/u20womensworldcup
2024 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup
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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 North Korea, who won their third title at the 2024 tournament in Colombia.

Qualification

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

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

Thumb
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
More information Ed., Year ...
Ed. Year Host Final Third place game Num.
teams
1st place, gold medalist(s) Champions Score 2nd place, silver medalist(s) Runners-up 3rd place, bronze medalist(s) Third place Score Fourth place
1 2002  Canada
United States
1–0 (g.g.)
Canada

Germany
1–1
(4–3 p)

Brazil
12
2 2004  Thailand
Germany
2–0
China

United States
3–0
Brazil
12
3 2006  Russia
North Korea
5–0
China

Brazil
0–0 (a.e.t.)
(6–5 p)

United States
16
4 2008  Chile
United States
2–1
North Korea

Germany
5–3
France
16
5 2010  Germany
Germany
2–0
Nigeria

South Korea
1–0
Colombia
16
6 2012  Japan
United States
1–0
Germany

Japan
2–1
Nigeria
16
7 2014  Canada
Germany
1–0 (a.e.t.)
Nigeria

France
3–2
North Korea
16
8 2016  Papua New Guinea
North Korea
3–1
France

Japan
1–0
United States
16
9 2018  France
Japan
3–1
Spain

England
1–1 (a.e.t.)
(4–2 p)

France
16
10 2022  Costa Rica
Spain
3–1
Japan

Brazil
4–1
Netherlands
16
11 2024  Colombia
North Korea
1–0
Japan

United States
2–1 (a.e.t.)
Netherlands
24
12 2026  Poland 24
Close
Thumb
Map of countries' best results

Teams reaching the top four

More information Team, Titles ...
Team Titles Runners-up Third place Fourth place
 Germany 3 (2004, 2010, 2014) 1 (2012) 2 (2002, 2008)
 North Korea 3 (2006, 2016, 2024) 1 (2008) 1 (2014)
 United States 3 (2002, 2008, 2012) 2 (2004, 2024) 2 (2006, 2016)
 Japan 1 (2018) 2 (2022, 2024) 2 (2012, 2016)
 Spain 1 (2022) 1 (2018)
 Nigeria 2 (2010, 2014) 1 (2012)
China PR 2 (2004, 2006)
 France 1 (2016) 1 (2014) 2 (2008, 2018)
 Canada 1 (2002)
 Brazil 2 (2006, 2022) 2 (2002, 2004)
 South Korea 1 (2010)
 England 1 (2018)
 Netherlands 2 (2022, 2024)
 Colombia 1 (2010)
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Awards

Below are the award winners.[10]

More information Tournament, Winner ...
Close
More information Tournament, Winner ...
Close

Comprehensive team results in each World Cup

Legend
  • 1st — Champions
  • 2nd — Runners-up
  • 3rd — Third place
  • 4th — Fourth place
  • QF – Quarter-finals
  • R16 – Round of 16
  • 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.

More information Team, Confederation ...
Team Confederation 2002
Canada
(12)
2004
Thailand
(12)
2006
Russia
(16)
2008
Chile
(16)
2010
Germany
(16)
2012
Japan
(16)
2014
Canada
(16)
2016
Papua New Guinea
(16)
2018
France
(16)
2022
Costa Rica
(16)
2024
Colombia
(24)
2026
Poland
(24)
Total
 ArgentinaCONMEBOL GSGSGSR164
 AustraliaAFC[A] QFQFGSGSGS5
 AustriaUEFA R161
 BrazilCONMEBOL 4th4th3rdQFGSGSGSQFGS3rdQF11
 CameroonCAF ××××R161
 CanadaCONCACAF 2ndQFGSGSGSQFGSGSR169
 ChileCONMEBOL GS1
 ChinaAFC 2nd2ndGSGSGSGS6
 Chinese TaipeiAFC GS1
 ColombiaCONMEBOL 4thQFQF3
 Costa RicaCONCACAF GSGSGSGS4
 DenmarkUEFA QF1
 DR CongoCAF ×GSGS××2
 EnglandUEFA QFQFGSGS3rd5
 FijiOFC ××××××GS1
 FinlandUEFA GSGS2
 FranceUEFA GSQF4thGS3rd2nd4thQFR169
 GermanyUEFA 3rd1stQF3rd1st2nd1stQFQFGSQF11
 GhanaCAF ××GSGSGSGSGSGSGS7
 HaitiCONCACAF GS×1
 ItalyUEFA GSGS2
 JapanAFC QFQFGS3rd3rd1st2nd2nd8
 MexicoCONCACAF GSGSGSQFQFGSQFGSQFR1610
 MoroccoCAF ×××GS1
 NetherlandsUEFA QF4th4th3
 New ZealandOFC ×GSGSGSGSQFGSGSGSGS9
 NigeriaCAF GSQFQFQF2nd4th2ndGSQFQFR1611
 North KoreaAFC 1st2ndQFQF4th1stQF×1st8
 NorwayUEFA GSQF2
 Papua New GuineaOFC ×××GS1
 ParaguayCONMEBOL GSGSGS3
 PolandUEFA Q1
 RussiaUEFA QFQF×2
 South KoreaAFC GS3rdQFQFGSGSR167
 SpainUEFA GSQF2nd1stQF5
 SwedenUEFA QFGS2
  SwitzerlandUEFA GSGSGS3
 ThailandAFC GS1
 United StatesCONCACAF 1st3rd4th1stQF1stQF4thGSGS3rd11
 VenezuelaCONMEBOL GSGS2
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  1. Australia represented OFC before 2006.

Debut of national teams

More information Year, Debuting teams ...
Year Debuting teams
Teams No. Cum.
2002 Australia,  Brazil,  Canada,  Chinese Taipei,  Denmark , England,  France,  Germany,  Japan,  Mexico,  Nigeria,  United States 12 12
2004 China,  Italy,  Russia,  South Korea,  Spain,  Thailand 6 18
2006 Argentina,  DR Congo,  Finland,  New Zealand,  North Korea ,  Switzerland 6 24
2008 Chile,  Norway 2 26
2010 Colombia,  Costa Rica,  Ghana,  Sweden 4 30
2012None 0 30
2014 Paraguay 1 31
2016 Papua New Guinea,  Venezuela 2 33
2018 Haiti,  Netherlands 2 35
2022None 0 35
2024 Austria,  Cameroon,  Fiji,  Morocco 4 39
2026 Poland 1 40
Close

Results by confederation

   — Hosts are from this confederation

AFC

More information 2002 (12), 2004 (12) ...
2002
Canada
(12)
2004
Thailand
(12)
2006
Russia
(16)
2008
Chile
(16)
2010
Germany
(16)
2012
Japan
(16)
2014
Canada
(16)
2016
Papua New Guinea
(16)
2018
France
(16)
2022
Costa Rica
(16)
2024
Colombia
(24)
2026
Poland
(24)
Total
Teams23333433334438
Top 1633
Top 81122232221220
Top 40121111211213
Top 2012100011129
1stNorth KoreaNorth KoreaJapanNorth Korea4
2ndChinaChinaNorth KoreaJapanJapan5
3rdSouth KoreaJapanJapan3
4thNorth Korea1
Close

CAF

More information 2002 (12), 2004 (12) ...
2002
Canada
(12)
2004
Thailand
(12)
2006
Russia
(16)
2008
Chile
(16)
2010
Germany
(16)
2012
Japan
(16)
2014
Canada
(16)
2016
Papua New Guinea
(16)
2018
France
(16)
2022
Costa Rica
(16)
2024
Colombia
(24)
2026
Poland
(24)
Total
Teams11222222224426
Top 1622
Top 8011111101108
Top 4000011100003
Top 2000010100002
1st0
2ndNigeriaNigeria2
3rd0
4thNigeria1
Close

CONCACAF

More information 2002 (12), 2004 (12) ...
2002
Canada
(12)
2004
Thailand
(12)
2006
Russia
(16)
2008
Chile
(16)
2010
Germany
(16)
2012
Japan
(16)
2014
Canada
(16)
2016
Papua New Guinea
(16)
2018
France
(16)
2022
Costa Rica
(16)
2024
Colombia
(24)
2026
Poland
(24)
Total
Teams32333343344439
Top 1633
Top 82211222201116
Top 4211101010018
Top 2200101000004
1stUnited StatesUnited StatesUnited States3
2ndCanada1
3rdUnited StatesUnited States2
4thUnited StatesUnited States2
Close

CONMEBOL

More information 2002 (12), 2004 (12) ...
2002
Canada
(12)
2004
Thailand
(12)
2006
Russia
(16)
2008
Chile
(16)
2010
Germany
(16)
2012
Japan
(16)
2014
Canada
(16)
2016
Papua New Guinea
(16)
2018
France
(16)
2022
Costa Rica
(16)
2024
Colombia
(24)
2026
Poland
(24)
Total
Teams11232222225428
Top 1633
Top 81111100102210
Top 4111010000105
Top 2000000000000
1st0
2nd0
3rdBrazilBrazil2
4thBrazilBrazilColombia3
Close

OFC

More information 2002 (12), 2004 (12) ...
2002
Canada
(12)
2004
Thailand
(12)
2006
Russia
(16)
2008
Chile
(16)
2010
Germany
(16)
2012
Japan
(16)
2014
Canada
(16)
2016
Papua New Guinea
(16)
2018
France
(16)
2022
Costa Rica
(16)
2024
Colombia
(24)
2026
Poland
(24)
Total
Teams11111112112215
Top 1600
Top 8110000100003
Top 4000000000000
Top 2000000000000
1st0
2nd0
3rd0
4th0
Close

UEFA

More information 2002 (12), 2004 (12) ...
2002
Canada
(12)
2004
Thailand
(12)
2006
Russia
(16)
2008
Chile
(16)
2010
Germany
(16)
2012
Japan
(16)
2014
Canada
(16)
2016
Papua New Guinea
(16)
2018
France
(16)
2022
Costa Rica
(16)
2024
Colombia
(24)
2026
Poland
(24)
Total
Teams44545444545654
Top 1655
Top 83233222353331
Top 41102112132115
Top 2010011111107
1stGermanyGermanyGermanySpain4
2ndGermanyFranceSpain3
3rdGermanyGermanyFranceEngland4
4thFranceFranceNetherlandsNetherlands4
Close

See also

References

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