FTLOS HQ | Let’s go! Our U.S. U-20 Women have drawn Italy, Japan and New Zealand in Group D at the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, September 5-27 in Poland.
The stars and stripes learned their fate at the final draw inside the EC1 Cultural Center in Lodz.
USA Match Schedule
- Sunday, Sept. 6: USA vs. Italy — Noon ET (6 p.m. local) in Lodz, Poland
- Wednesday, Sept. 9: USA vs. Japan — 9 a.m. ET (3 p.m. local) in Lodz, Poland
- Saturday, Sept. 12: USA vs. New Zealand — 9 a.m. ET (3 p.m. local) in Sosnowiec, Poland
“A World Cup draw is always exciting as it lays out the path ahead.” Vicky Jepson, Head Coach
About the Tourney
- 24 team tournament for the 2nd time.
- The U-20 Women’s World Cup began in 2002 as a 12-team tourney and used to be played at the U-19 level.
The tournament’s 52 matches will be played across four stadiums in four Polish cities:
- Arena Katowice (15,000) — Katowice
- Stadion Miejski Bielsko-Biala (15,000) — Bielsko-Biala
- Stadion Miejski LKS Lodz (18,000) — Lodz
- Arena Sosnowiec (11,600) — Sosnowiec
Katowice and Sosnowiec are neighboring cities in southern Poland, while Lodz is located in central Poland. Bielsko-Biala sits about 40 miles south of Katowice and Sosnowiec.
“Six players from the 2024 U-20 World Cup Team now have full National Team caps, so you cannot understate the importance of this event in the growth of these young players toward the ultimate goal of playing for our USWNT.” Vicky Jepson
Fun Facts
- The US has competed in every FIFA tourney at this age level.
- US won the U-20 World Cup in 2012.
- Finished 3rd in 2024 which was held in Colombia.
“Everyone can see the growth of the women’s game worldwide, and we respect all our opponents, so we’re looking forward to our group play and we’ll be ready for all the challenges these games will bring against three very different teams. We will continue to communicate and work with the colleges, who are obviously playing in the fall, and NWSL clubs, to secure the releases of the many talented young players who are important parts of our U-20 WNT player pool.” Head Coach Vicky Jepson, Continued
2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Groups
Group A
- Poland
- Argentina
- Mexico
- Benin
Group B
- Brazil
- Tanzania
- Canada
- England
Group C
- France
- Korea Republic
- Ecuador
- Ghana
Group D
- Japan
- New Zealand
- USA
- Italy
Group E
- Korea DPR
- Portugal
- Costa Rica
- Colombia
Group F
- Spain
- Nigeria
- New Caledonia
- China PR
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