USA face must-win game as Ghana look to make history

The FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup 2026™ continues on Saturday, with the final matches in Groups C and D. Italy are the only team who have secured a place in the Round of 16 thus far. Three-times champions USA are in danger of being knocked out in the group stage for the third time in four tournaments.

Fixtures

Saturday, 12 September Italy v Japan New Zealand v USA Ghana v France Korea Republic v Ecuador

How to watch

The FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Poland 2026™ will be available to watch on FIFA+ via DAZN in selected territories. Supporters can check which other broadcasters are showing each match in their territory on the Matches page. Fans can buy tickets to watch the stars of tomorrow here.

Group D

Italy v Japan

Stadion Miejski LKS Lodz | Lodz

Kick-off time

15:00 in Lodz 15:00 in Rome 22:00 in Tokyo

Already through to the knockout stages, Italy face a Japan side who are not far from joining them. After a flying start against USA and a come-from-behind 2-1 victory, the Azzurre followed that up with an impressive 3-0 win over New Zealand. As a result, they are already guaranteed to reach the knockout stages for the first time in their history, while a draw on Saturday could be enough to secure top spot. Japan, meanwhile, must win if they are to finish first, but a draw would be enough to seal a sixth consecutive appearance in the knockout stages of the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup.

New Zealand v USA

Arena Sosnowiec | Sosnowiec

Kick-off time

09:00 in Washington DC 15:00 in Sosnowiec 01:00 in Wellington (Sunday, 13 September)

Neither New Zealand nor the USA can afford to slip up in Sosnowiec on Matchday 3. After defeats by Japan (2-1) and Italy (3-0), the Junior Football Ferns face a relatively simple equation: they must win to have any hope of finishing among the best third-placed teams. Any result other than a victory would send the OFC representatives out of the tournament. The scenario is broadly similar for the three-time champions USA, who are still without a win after two matches. While a victory would put them in a very strong position to reach the Round of 16, a draw might not be enough, while defeat would bring their campaign to an end.

Group C

Ghana v France

Arena Sosnowiec | Sosnowiec

Kick-off time

16:00 in Paris 18:00 in Accra 18:00 in Sosnowiec

France made life considerably easier for themselves by edging past Ecuador late on Wednesday, and while qualification is now firmly within Aude Bizet and her team-mates' reach, head coach Philippe Joly is keen to remain cautious ahead of the meeting with Ghana. The other Group C side were all smiles after Matchday 2, having secured an impressive 3-0 victory over Korea Republic. The French coach will be looking for his players to show the same discipline and determination they displayed against Ecuador. Standing in their way will be a Black Princesses side who are now within touching distance of their goal: finally reaching the knockout stages. A draw would confirm France's qualification, but would not necessarily see them finish top of the group. That would also depend on the result of the other match.

Korea Republic v Ecuador

Stadion Miejski LKS Lodz | Lodz

Kick-off time

11:00 in Quito 18:00 in Lodz 01:00 in Seoul (Sunday, 13 September)

A real final awaits Park Youn-jeong and her players after their disappointing 3-0 defeat by Ghana. The Korea Republic coach was crystal clear in her post-match press conference on Wednesday: "We have no chance of qualifying if we don't take three points against Ecuador in our final group match, so we will give everything." Ecuador, meanwhile, will be looking to bounce back after conceding late against France. A win would secure their place in the Round of 16 at the first time of asking in their debut appearance at the tournament, while any other result would leave them dependent on other results. With their destiny in their own hands, there is therefore little doubt that the South Americans will be targeting nothing less than victory in Lodz.

What they said...

"There are no easy matches from this point onwards. We have to approach every game as if it were a final and give everything we have. That is the only way forward." Akira Ijiri, Japan coach

"We’ll work out what needs improving and we will go again for the third game, because this tournament is not over. We always believe." Vicky Jepson, USA coach

"We’re here to show what we’re made of, and we still have one very important match left. Our qualification is at stake, so we’re going to keep preparing for that game." Fiorella Pico, Ecuador midfielder

"We have to keep working. We’ve still got a long way to go. We’re not afraid of anyone.
Now we have to prepare for Japan." Karen Appiah, Italy forward

"France are a very strong team so we're excited to face them. You're always excited to face a strong opponent so we'll go back and prepare for that." Alexandra Tay, Ghana forward

"Everyone wants to bring something to the group, and I try to contribute whatever I can. It's true that last season helped me grow a lot and develop as a player. So I try to show that on the pitch and pass that experience on to my team-mates." Clara Bertrand, France midfielder

Key stats

Italy have qualified for the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup knockout stages for the first time.

Ghana are seeking to punch their ticket to the Round of 16 at the eighth time of asking.

Ecuador are looking to reach the knockout stages in their debut competition.

This is the first time in the history of the tournament that USA are winless after two games.