Rampant USA qualify, Italy and France top groups

USA put nine past New Zealand, Japan through after 1-1 draw with already-qualified Italy

France and Korea Republic win to secure progress, with Saturday's results also confirming last-16 spots for Canada, China PR and Colombia

Golden Boot Race | Every Player of the Match

The FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Poland 2026™ continued on Saturday as USA surged past New Zealand 9-0 to secure a place in the last 16.

The Americans have finished third in Group D with four points, but they are sure to be one of the best third-placed sides to qualify for the knockouts. USA will face Brazil in a blockbuster Round of 16 tie. In the group's other game, Italy and Japan drew 1-1. That result means the European side finish top, with the Young Nadeshiko in second. Both sides' next opponents are yet to be determined.

In Group C, France swept aside Ghana 4-0 to clinch their spot in the knockout phase as section winners. Korea Republic have qualified as runners-up after a 3-2 win over Ecuador, who still have a chance of reaching the next stage as one of the best performing third-place teams. France will take on Canada in the last 16, while Korea Republic will lock horns with Argentina.

Saturday's results also confirmed qualification for three teams in other groups, with Canada, China PR and Colombia all guaranteed places in the next round.

New Zealand and Ghana have been eliminated.

Group D

Italy 1-1 Japan

Italy goal: Paola Fadda pen (59) Japan goal: Natsumi Tago (80) Visa Player of the Match: Yura Honda (Japan)

Natsumi Tago came off the bench to score a vital equaliser for Japan and secure knockout-phase qualification for the Young Nadeshiko.

Italy, who had already clinched their place in the last 16, were on track to progress with a 100-per-cent record when Paola Fadda put them in front from the penalty spot. Despite Japan's leveller, the Azzurrine still advance as group winners.

Hibari Hara almost scored one of the goals of the tournament midway through the first half, but her shot from all of 30 yards was tipped around the post by Italy goalkeeper Elena Belli. Fadda then threatened for the Azzurrine, with Japan No1 Uruha Iwasaki at full stretch to keep out her rising drive.

Italy forged ahead just before the hour. They were awarded a penalty following a VAR review for a handball by Konoha Nakamura. Fadda stepped up to slot home from the spot.

The European side almost made it 2-0 when substitute Marta Zamboni rattled the crossbar, before Tago's looping strike earned Japan a share of the points.

What they said...

"It was a tough group, but we won it and deserved to be there. We’re a very strong team, and credit is due to all the girls. We showed resilience, we dominated, we controlled the ball well, and a momentary lapse in concentration cost us a goal. We’ll improve in that area too. This shirt deserves to be taken to the top, and Italy has everything it takes to get there." Caterina Venturelli, Italy defender

"Fighting until the end and never giving up is one of this team’s strengths. I think the players deserve a lot of credit for showing that quality again today. Regardless of who we face [in the knockout stage], we will prepare thoroughly so that we can show our strengths and play our football. Akira Ijiri, Japan coach

New Zealand 0-9 USA

USA goals: Alex Buck (4, 58), Kennedy Fuller (6, 83, pen 90+2), Micayla Johnson (38), Linda Ullmark (43), Emeri Adames (60), Sealey Strawn (87) Visa Player of the Match: Kennedy Fuller (USA)

After a sluggish start to their campaign, USA secured their first victory at Poland 2026 in dominant fashion to punch their ticket to the Round of 16. The Stars and Stripes needed a comfortable triumph to put themselves in position to reach the knockout stages and they did just that in style against New Zealand, who are now eliminated.

Vicky Jepson's team got off to a lightning-quick start, scoring two goals in as many minutes through Alex Buck and captain Kennedy Fuller. Buck would score again in the second half, while Fuller struck twice more to complete her hat-trick.

Micayla Johnson — who has scored in three FIFA youth World Cups in as many years, having also tallied in the 2024 and 2025 U-17 showpieces — netted her second goal of the tournament, with Linda Ullmark, Emeri Adames and Sealey Strawn also on target.

What they said...

"It's a great day for the players. We've managed to rotate the squad so we've got fresh legs and everybody feels part of the process... some incredible goals and a well-deserved clean sheet. When you face adversity early on in a tournament, you either stay knocked down or you get back up and stand taller. This USA side thrive off adversity and I've seen how they responded. Nothing was ever going to keep us down. I think we're well-equipped now for any pressure that is thrown against us in this tournament just because of the start that we've had." Vicky Jepson, USA coach

"It's tough right now with the scoreline, but I think the biggest thing for the players is that they've gone toe-to-toe, particularly in the first two games, with two very good teams. In my opinion, from watching the games, these three teams will go deep into the tournament. Today, we just weren't at it, and the US were pretty rampant. But overall, they can take away from this that they can play at that level." Callum Holmes, New Zealand coach

Group C

Ghana 0-4 France

France goals: Clara Bertrand (54), Justine Rouquet (69, 86), Ornella Graziani pen (81) Visa Player of the Match: Ornella Graziani (France)

France secured their place in the Round of 16 with a comfortable victory against Ghana, whose barren run of failing to reach the knockout stages at the U-20 showpiece continues.

Les Bleuettes took the lead midway through the second half through Clara Bertrand's bouncing effort which skipped past Black Princesses goalkeeper Precious Akanguwie and into the net.

They doubled their tally with a brilliant set-piece play. The French attackers wheeled around in a circle prior to Ornella Graziani's corner, before breaking free and Justine Rouquet lashed the ball into the net with a volley. Graziani then fired in a late penalty before Rouquet sealed her brace late on.

What they said...

"I’m not necessarily obsessed with statistics. I like to set up my team-mates. So whether it’s an assist or a goal, I don’t really mind, as long as I’m there to help the team and we win. That’s the most important thing for me. But I got both today. I’d say it’s a perfect evening. So we’re going to enjoy the evening and focus on the next game now." Ornella Graziani, France midfielder

"This is a very special tournament for me. When I saw that it was going to be in Poland, I was really happy because I’m 50-per-cent Polish. My grandfather was born in Poland. My grandmother was born in France, but both of her parents were Polish. She lived in Poland and she speaks Polish fluently." Louise Kleczewski, France defender

"The two weeks [here have been great]. Many of the girls, it is their first time in this sort of environment. I hope and believe that they have learned something to take away [from this experience]. We came here with the goal of going through the group stages as we have never done it before. We knew coming into this game that with a draw we would have a chance. We were in the game and had a goal that was disallowed and then lost concentration in set pieces. France are a really good team so we just have to accept it that they were the better side." Charles Sampson, Ghana coach

Korea Republic 3-2 Ecuador

Korea Republic goals: Lee Haeun (22), Park Juha (72), Kim Minseo (74) Ecuador goals: Dariana Moran (57), Evelyn Burgos (90+2) Visa Player of the Match: Han Minseo (Korea Republic)

Korea Republic have qualified for the Round of 16 after beating Ecuador, who face an anxious wait to see if they will progress as one of the best third-place teams.

Lee Haeun rifled the Asian side in front, finishing clinically after being played in on goal by Han Minseo. Ecuador equalised when Dariana Moran chested the ball home from close range after goalkeeper Kim Chaebeen fumbled a cross.

Korea Republic regained their advantage through Park Juha’s deflected effort, before her fellow substitute Kim Minseo made it 3-1. Evelyn Burgos pulled one back in stoppage time for Ecuador, but they could not find an equaliser.

The South Americans also had captain Fiorella Pico sent off for a second bookable offence in the game's dying moments.

What they said...

“We were able to get a good result. I’m a little disappointed with my own performance, but I’m very happy with the result. There were times when things didn’t go our way, but I think we got the result because we kept trying to play the way we wanted to until the end. If we continue to play our football, I think we can keep getting good results." Han Minseo, Korea Republic midfielder

"A bitter taste. We wanted to win and go through as first or second in the group. We’re really disappointed. We played well and even when we fell behind, we thought we could turn the match around. This tournament is teaching us a lot. We have to stay focused at all times because the match can change at any moment." Evelyn Elena Burgos Cedeno, Ecuador goalscorer