FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup
It is a tournament which has witnessed numerous Asian successes and the-AFC.com takes a look at several interesting facts and figures from the global showpiece.
Impressive haul
Asia has seen the trophy lifted four times by teams from the continent, with defending champions DPR Korea having done so in three editions - 2006, 2016 and 2024 - and Japan in 2018.
Chasing history
Defending their crown will mean DPR Korea will become the most successful team in the history of the tournament, as they are currently tied on three titles apiece with Germany and the United States.
Perennial challengers
Asian teams have also emerged runners-up five times, with Japan falling at the final hurdle in the last two editions. China PR lost in the decider of the 2004 and 2006 tournaments while DPR Korea lost to the United States in 2008.
Mainstays
DPR Korea, Japan will be appearing at the Finals for the ninth time, the most by any Asian nation. It will be Korea Republic's eighth attempt at winning the title while China PR will try for the seventh time to lay their hands on the trophy.
Title debut
DPR Korea won their first title in their debut campaign, defeating China PR 5-0 in the final. Their beaten opponents had marked their own debut two years earlier by making the final, which ended in a 2-0 defeat to Germany.
Select club
Besides the four representatives at Poland 2026, Australia, Chinese Taipei and Thailand are the only other Asian teams to have featured on the global stage.
Exalted company
What do Ma Xiaoxu (China PR), Hina Sugita, Maika Hamano (both Japan) and Choe Il-son (DPR Korea) have in common with Brazil great Marta? All were winners of the Golden Ball with Marta taking the accolade in 2004. Ma did so two years later with Sugita (2016), Hamano (2022) and Choe (2024) following suit.
Fixtures
The opening match will be played between Poland and Argentina on Saturday, with the final scheduled for September 27. This will be the second edition of the expanded tournament of 24 teams, with the top two sides from each of the six groups and the four best third-placed teams advancing to the Round of 16.
Photo: FIFA via Getty Images
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