The FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup 2026 will kick off on Saturday, September 5 in Poland, with 24 teams participating, including four from Africa: Benin, Tanzania, Ghana and Nigeria.
The tournament will conclude with the final on September 27 in Lodz.
This 12th edition will be held in four Polish cities: Bielsko-Biała, Katowice, Lodz, and Sosnowiec. The 24 teams are divided into six groups of four.
The African representatives will begin their campaign in the opening days of the competition. Benin, making its debut at the U-20 Women’s World Cup, will compete in Group A alongside host nation Poland, Mexico, and Argentina.
Tanzania, also a newcomer at this level, is in Group B, alongside Brazil, England, and Canada. Ghana has been drawn into Group C, alongside France, South Korea, and Ecuador.
The Black Princesses, participating in their eighth consecutive U20 World Cup, will begin their campaign on Sunday, September 6, against Ecuador.
Nigeria will play in Group F with Spain, China and New Caledonia.
The Falconets will kick off their campaign on Monday, September 7, against Spain.
The tournament will begin on Saturday, September 5, with four matches.
Poland will face Argentina in Group A, while Benin will take on Mexico. In Group B, Brazil will meet Tanzania, and Canada will play England.
A four-stage competition
The group stage will conclude on September 13. It will be followed by the Round of 16, scheduled for September 16 and 17.
The quarterfinals will take place on September 19 and 20, followed by the semifinals on September 23 in Lodz.
The bronze medal match will be played on September 26, while the final is scheduled for September 27 at the Stadion Miejski LKS Lodz in Lodz, central Poland.
The Republic of Korea, the defending champions, will be putting their title on the line. With three titles, they are among the most successful teams in the tournament, along with Germany and the United States.
For the four African representatives, the goal will be to advance from the group stage and continue their journey in the knockout phase of this edition being held in Poland.
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