Poland will host the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup from September 5 to 27, marking its first-ever FIFA women’s tournament. It will also be the country’s second time hosting a U-20 World Cup, following the successful men’s edition in 2019.
The U-20 Women’s World Cup is one of the upcoming Women’s FIFA tournaments.
North Korea was the defending champion, and Japan was the runner-up team.
2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup: Complete Guide, Tournament Overview
Table of Contents
The 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup represents a crucial development opportunity for global women’s youth football, with Poland providing world-class facilities and proven tournament hosting experience.
- Host Country: Poland
- Tournament Dates: September 5-27, 2026
- Total Teams: 24 (expanded from 16)
- Tournament Type: Biennial women’s youth championship
Host Venues
Four Polish Cities:
| City | Stadium | Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| Łódź | Stadion ŁKS | 18,029 |
| Katowice | Arena Katowice | 15,048 |
| Sosnowiec | Zagłębie Sports Park | 11,600 |
| Bielsko-Biała | Stadion w Bielsku-Białej | 15,316 |
Qualified Teams (12/24 Confirmed)
CONCACAF (4 Teams) – Qualified
- Canada (U.S. runner-up qualifiers May 2025)
- United States (12-time champions)
- Mexico (11-time appearance)
- Costa Rica (5th appearance)
UEFA (6 Teams Including Host)
- Poland (Host nation, debut)
- France (10-time appearance)
- Spain (6-time appearance, 2022 champions)
- England (6th appearance since 2018)
- Italy (3rd appearance since 2012)
- Portugal (Debut – 2025 UEFA U-19 qualifiers winner)
OFC (2 Teams)
- New Caledonia (Debut, first FIFA women’s tournament appearance)
- New Zealand (10th appearance)
AFC (4 Teams) – To Be Determined
- Qualified for 2026 AFC U-20 Women’s Asian Cup (August-September 2026)
CAF (4 Teams) – To Be Determined
- Qualified for the 2026 African U-20 Women’s World Cup qualifiers
CONMEBOL (4 Teams) – To Be Determined
- Qualified for the 2026 South American U-20 Women’s Championship
Tournament Format
- Group Stage: 24 teams divided into 6 groups of 4 teams
- Knockout Stage: Top 2 teams from each group (12 teams) advance to Round of 16
- Match Regulations: Standard FIFA women’s U-20 rules, with players born January 1, 2006, onwards eligible
Notable Qualifications & Debuts
Debut Teams:
- Poland (host nation)
- Portugal (first appearance)
- New Caledonia (first FIFA women’s tournament ever)
Historic Absences:
- Germany (failed to qualify for the first time since 2002)
- Netherlands (absent after three consecutive tournaments)
- Austria (one appearance in 2024)
Champions:
- USA (12-time appearance, multiple championships)
- Spain (2022 champions)
- Japan (multiple titles and finalist appearances)
Qualification Timeline
AFC U-20 Women’s Asian Cup 2026: August 2026 (determines 4 AFC teams)
CAF U-20 Women’s World Cup Qualifiers:
- First Round: May 2025 (completed)
- Second Round: September 2025
- Third Round: February 2026
- Fourth Round: May 2026 (determines 4 CAF teams)
CONMEBOL U-20 Women’s Championship 2026: (determines 4 CONMEBOL teams)
Previous Champions
| Year | Winner | Runner-up |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Japan | Colombia |
| 2022 | Japan | Costa Rica |
| 2020 | Germany | New Zealand |
| 2018 | Japan | France |
| 2016 | Papua New Guinea | Japan |
Key Differences from 2024 Edition
✓ Expanded to 24 teams (from 16)
✓ Poland hosts (the first women’s FIFA tournament)
✓ September dates (summer weather in Poland)
✓ 8 new teams eligible (including debuts like Portugal, New Caledonia)
