The 2025 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Final is set to be contested between North Korea vs the Netherlands on Saturday, November 8, 2025, at the Rabat Olympic Stadium in Morocco.
Both teams earned hard-fought semi wins on 5 November — North Korea defeated Brazil, while the Netherlands edged Mexico — and now play for the trophy on the final matchday.
This 2025 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup promises to be a captivating display of contrasting playing styles: North Korea’s relentless dominance versus the Netherlands’ remarkable resilience and comeback prowess.
The winner will be crowned the 2025 champion and etched into youth football history.
North Korea vs Netherlands Tournament Journey: FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup 2025
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The FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup 2025 Final between North Korea and the Netherlands promises to be a compelling clash between an irresistible force and an immovable object.
North Korea’s tournament dominance, clinical finishing, and defensive mastery position them as deserving favorites, while the Netherlands’ remarkable journey through consecutive penalty shootouts demonstrates the unpredictable nature of football.
Regardless of the outcome, this final will showcase the exceptional talent, determination, and tactical sophistication of youth women’s football at its finest.
North Korea’s superior performance throughout the tournament makes them the likely champions, but the Netherlands have already exceeded expectations and could yet produce one final miracle.
North Korea’s Path to Dominance
North Korea has been the standout team of the tournament, maintaining an impressive unbeaten record with six consecutive victories across all competitions, accumulating an extraordinary 18 points without a single defeat.
Their performance has been nothing short of exceptional, showcasing exceptional discipline, tactical mastery, and clinical finishing.
Group Stage Performance:
- North Korea 2-0 Mexico – Yu Jong-hyang (3′), Kim Won-sim (28′)
- North Korea 2-1 Cameroon – Kim Won-sim (75′, 90+8′)
- North Korea 5-0 Netherlands – Ri Kyong-im (18′), Groothoff OG (35′), Yu Jong-hyang (66′, 86′ PEN), Ri Hyo-yang (81′)
In their stunning group stage demolition of the Netherlands, North Korea’s devastating attacking prowess was on full display, scoring five goals while dominating possession and defensive organisation.
Knockout Stage:
- North Korea 5-1 Japan (Quarter-finals) – Kim Won-sim (1′, 73′), Ri Ui-gyong (6′, 90+6′), Yu Jong-hyang (22′)
- North Korea 1-0 Brazil (Semi-finals) – Yu Jong-hyang (both halves)
North Korea’s semi-final victory over Brazil demonstrated their composure and lethal finishing, with the defending tournament champions unable to find a breakthrough against their defensive solidity.
Netherlands’ Dramatic Resurrection
The Netherlands has authored one of the tournament’s most remarkable underdog stories, transforming from a struggling group stage qualifier to a finalist through sheer mental resilience and exceptional goalkeeping.
Group Stage Performance (3 points, -5 goal difference):
- Netherlands 4-3 Cameroon – Pennock (2′), Dap (6′), Van der Vliet (43′), Altena (77′)
- Netherlands 0-1 Mexico – Reyes (87′)
- Netherlands 0-5 North Korea – Suffered devastating 5-0 defeat (as noted above)
Despite finishing third in their group with only 3 points and a concerning -5 goal difference, the Dutch qualified as one of the best third-place teams.
Knockout Stage (Penalty Heroics):
- Netherlands 1-1 USA (7-6 AET) (Round of 16) – Goalkeeper Maren Groothoff made eight crucial saves, including match-deciding penalties
- Netherlands 2-2 France (6-7 AET) (Quarter-finals) – Miraculous comeback from 2-0 down in regular time, with Rochelity Dap scoring the 90+2′ equalizer before prevailing on penalties
- The semi-final saw Mexico beat the Netherlands 1-0 in predictions, but the Dutch ultimately advanced.
Goalkeeper Maren Groothoff has been absolutely heroic, producing saves of the highest caliber under immense pressure and becoming the tournament’s defining personality.
Head-to-Head Record and Historical Context
Recent Meeting:
The two teams faced each other on October 24, 2025, in Group B, with North Korea delivering a devastating 5-0 victory, showcasing their superiority in all aspects of the game.
This commanding performance left a psychological imprint, though the Netherlands’ subsequent penalty shootout victories suggest they have overcome the initial trauma.
Historical Context:
North Korea are the defending champions, having won the tournament in 2024. This will be their second consecutive final appearance and fifth overall, cementing their status as the dominant force in youth women’s football.
Key Player Matchups in U-17 Women’s World Cup 2025 Final
North Korea’s Attacking Arsenal
Yu Jong-Hyang – The tournament’s most lethal finisher with multiple goals scored across all stages. Her combination of pace, positioning, and finishing prowess makes her the primary offensive threat.
Kim Won-sim – Demonstrates exceptional versatility with contributions both from open play and set pieces. Her two goals in the quarterfinal victory over Japan highlight her importance.
Ri Kyong-im, Ri Hyo-yang, Ri Ui-gyong – The Kim siblings provide an exceptional three-pronged attacking option, with each bringing different qualities to North Korea’s fluid attacking system.
Netherlands’ Defensive Guardians and Creative Talents
Maren Groothoff (Goalkeeper) – The hero of the tournament, her exceptional penalty-saving abilities and distribution have single-handedly kept the Netherlands alive in every knockout match. Against the USA, she made eight saves; against France, she was equally commanding.
Rochelity Dap – The creative fulcrum of the Dutch attack, scoring crucial goals in the knockout stages. Her 90+2′ equalizer against France exemplified her ability to deliver in high-pressure moments.
Liv Pennock – The pacy, attacking-minded forward who has shown impressive positioning and finishing in the knockout rounds.
Maud Thomassen – The defensive anchor providing stability and leadership at the back, essential given the Netherlands’ vulnerability in group play.
Tactical Analysis of U-17 Women’s World Cup 2025 Final
North Korea’s Tactical Blueprint
System: 4-2-3-1 or 4-1-4-1 formation with exceptional pressing intensity and organized defensive shape
Strengths:
- Relentless pressing: North Korea suffocates opponents in the midfield, forcing errors and quick turnovers
- Clinical finishing: Exceptional conversion rate with limited chances created
- Defensive discipline: Compact defensive shape with rare lapses
- Transitional excellence: Rapid movement from defense to attack with coordinated passing chains
- Set-piece mastery: Well-rehearsed corner and free-kick routines
Potential Vulnerabilities:
- Against deep, organized defenses, North Korea’s high pressing can be susceptible to direct counter-attacks
- Limited adaptability if their initial tactical game plan is disrupted
Netherlands’ Tactical Evolution
System: Flexible 4-4-2 or 4-3-3 formation adapted based on opposition
Strengths:
- Exceptional goalkeeping: Groothoff’s heroics under pressure provide a psychological advantage
- Penalty shootout expertise: Two consecutive shootout victories demonstrate mental toughness
- Counter-attacking transitions: Clinical finishing on limited opportunities (evident in their comeback wins)
- Resilience and adaptability: Ability to adjust tactics mid-match based on game flow
- Set-piece organization: Solid defensive positioning from set pieces
Challenges:
- Open play vulnerability: Their 5-0 group stage defeat to North Korea remains a concern
- Possession maintenance: The Dutch struggle to dominate the ball against high-pressing opponents
- Stamina in extended matches: Two consecutive penalty shootouts may impact physical condition
Match Prediction and Analysis of U-17 Women’s World Cup 2025 Final
- Predicted Winner: North Korea
- Expected Result: 2-0 or 1-0
Rationale:
North Korea enters the final as overwhelming favorites based on objective tournament performance metrics:
- Unbeaten Record: Six consecutive victories without conceding more than one goal per match demonstrates consistency and excellence
- Direct Head-to-Head Dominance: The 5-0 group stage victory provides psychological advantage and tactical familiarity
- Superior Group Stage Performance: 9 points vs Netherlands’ 3 points
- Tournament Form: North Korea’s knockout stage progression (5-1 vs Japan, 1-0 vs Brazil) shows sustained excellence
- Defensive Solidity: Only 2 goals conceded across 6 matches
Netherlands’ Path to Victory (Upset Scenario – 25% Probability):
Should the Netherlands pull off an upset, it would rely on:
- Penalty Shootout Excellence: Their remarkable shootout conversion rate (7-6 vs USA, 6-7 vs France)
- Groothoff’s Heroics: Another exceptional goalkeeping performance under pressure
- Counter-Attacking Clinical Finishing: Converting limited chances with precision
- Tactical Adjustment: Limiting North Korea’s pressing through longer possession sequences
However, the likelihood of repeating their shootout magic against a superior opponent in regular time is slim.
U-17 Women’s World Cup 2025 Final Match Details
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Date | Saturday, November 8, 2025 |
| Kick-off Time | 12:30 PM GMT / 1:30 PM Moroccan Time |
| Time in Other Zones | 7:30 AM EST / 6:00 PM IST / 9:30 PM JST |
| Venue | Rabat Olympic Stadium, Rabat, Morocco |
| Expected Attendance | 15,000+ (approximately) |
| Broadcasting | FIFA+, ITV (UK), Local broadcasters globally |
| Tournament | 9th Edition, FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup |
| Ticket | Webook.com |
Legacy and Significance
For North Korea:
Victory would secure their second consecutive U-17 World Cup title and third title in their history, further cementing their position as the world’s premier youth women’s football powerhouse.
The achievement would underscore North Korea’s systematic player development and tactical sophistication.
For the Netherlands:
Even reaching the final represents an extraordinary achievement given their group stage struggles.
A victory would be among the most dramatic underdog stories in FIFA tournament history, validated by the heroic goalkeeper performance and penalty shootout resilience.
Defeat would still represent substantial progress and provide foundation for future development.
Q: When is the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup 2025 Final?
A: The final is on November 8, 2025, in Rabat, Morocco.
Q: Which teams are playing the final?
A: North Korea and the Netherlands.
Q: What time does the match kick off?
A: 12:30 PM GMT (check local conversions for your region).
Where is the final being played?
Rabat Olympic Stadium, Morocco.
How did North Korea reach the final?
With an unbeaten run, including a semi-final win over Brazil.
How did the Netherlands reach the final?
Via resilient knockout wins, including back-to-back penalty shootouts.
What happened when these teams met earlier in the tournament?
North Korea beat the Netherlands 5-0 in the group stage.
Who are key players to watch for North Korea?
Yu Jong-hyang and Kim Won-sim.
Who are key players to watch for the Netherlands?
Goalkeeper Maren Groothoff and forward Rochelity Dap.
Where can I watch the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup 2025 Final?
FIFA+ globally, plus select national broadcasters (availability varies by region).
Q: Who is favored to win of the U-17 Women’s World Cup 2025 Final?
A: North Korea are slight favorites based on form and the earlier head-to-head.
Will extra time and penalties be used?
Yes—if the match is tied after 90 minutes, extra time and, if needed, penalties will decide the winner.
