The first matchday produced 35 goals in 12 matches, with several impressive victories, dramatic comebacks and strong performances from some of the tournament favourites.
Hosts Poland opened the tournament with a 3-0 victory over Argentina, while Brazil, Ecuador, Italy, China PR and defending champions Korea DPR also claimed victories.
There was also disappointment for Nigeria, as the Falconets suffered a 2-0 defeat to defending champions Spain in Group F.
Matchday 1 Results and Goalscorers
Group A
Poland 3-0 Argentina
Goalscorers:
• Oliwia Zwiazek – 26'
• Annika Paz – 30' (own goal)
• Maja Zielińska – 90+5'
Poland made history with a winning start on home soil, defeating Argentina 3-0 in the tournament opener. Zwiazek opened the scoring before Paz's own goal doubled the advantage. Zielińska completed the victory deep into stoppage time.
Mexico 2-2 Benin
Goalscorers:
• Alice Soto – 21'
• Montserrat Saldívar – 51'
• Romaine Gandonou – 56' (pen.)
• Romaine Gandonou – 87'
Mexico surrendered a two-goal lead as Benin fought back to secure a point in their first-ever FIFA women's tournament appearance. Gandonou's late equaliser completed her brace.
Group B
Brazil 4-1 Tanzania
Goalscorers:
• Thaynara Cristina – 14'
• Winfrida Gerald – 39' (pen.)
• Evelin Bonifácio – 49'
• Evelin Bonifácio – 68'
• Vitorinha – 82'
Brazil recovered from Tanzania's first-half equaliser to record a convincing opening victory, with Evelin Bonifácio scoring twice.
Canada 1-1 England
Goalscorers:
• Annabelle Chukwu – 52'
• Rachel Maltby – 89' (pen.)
England rescued a point late on after Chukwu had given Canada the lead. Maltby converted from the penalty spot in the closing stages.
Group C
France 1-1 Korea Republic
Goalscorers:
• Jo Hye-Young – 12'
• Naolia Traoré – 36'
Korea Republic took an early lead before France responded through Traoré to secure a share of the points.
Ecuador 3-0 Ghana
Goalscorers:
• Rosa Flores – 4'
• Doménica Arboleda – 17'
• Doménica Arboleda – 70'
Ecuador made an emphatic start, with Arboleda scoring twice after Flores had opened the scoring.
Group D
Japan 2-1 New Zealand
Goalscorers:
• Miyu Matsunaga – 50'
• Lily Brazendale – 59'
• Miyu Matsunaga – late penalty
Japan secured victory in dramatic fashion as substitute Miyu Matsunaga scored twice, including the decisive penalty after a late VAR review.
USA 1-2 Italy
Goalscorers:
• Johnson – 18'
• Fadda – 40'
• Pellegrino Cimò – 59'
Italy produced one of the opening round's notable results by coming from behind to defeat the United States 2-1.
Group E
Korea DPR 2-0 Portugal
Goalscorers:
• Kang Ryu Mi – 2 goals
The defending champions Korea DPR began their title defence with a 2-0 victory over tournament debutants Portugal, with Kang Ryu Mi scoring both goals.
Costa Rica 1-3 Colombia
Goalscorers:
• Sheika Scott – 6'
• María Fernanda Viáfara – 26' (pen.)
• Mariana Silva – 56'
• Catalina Cortés – 80'
Costa Rica took an early lead, but Colombia responded strongly to complete a 3-1 comeback victory.
Group F
New Caledonia 0-5 China PR
Goalscorers:
• Xiao Yuyi – 46'
• Huang Jiaxin – 71'
• Zhou Xinyi – 74'
• Huang Jiaxin – 80'
• Huang Jiaxin – 83'
China PR produced the biggest win of Matchday 1, with Huang Jiaxin completing a 12-minute hat-trick in the second half.
Spain 2-0 Nigeria
Goalscorers:
• Marisa García – 13'
• Alba Cerrato – 73'
Defending champions Spain started strongly against Nigeria, with García putting them ahead before Cerrato doubled the advantage in the second half.
Matchday 1 at a Glance
The 2026 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup is the 12th edition of the competition, with 24 teams competing across six groups. Poland is hosting the tournament from 5 to 27 September, with matches taking place in Katowice, Bielsko-Biała, Łódź and Sosnowiec.
The top two teams in each group, alongside the four best third-placed teams, will advance to the knockout stage, with the final scheduled for Łódź on 27 September 2026.