Eight group-stage stars to watch in the knockouts

The FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Morocco 2026™ knockout stage beckons, with sixteen teams making up eight intriguing ties.

Ahead of those matches, FIFA looks at as many stars who impressed in the group stage and should be on your radar for the second round.

Maddie DiMaria

USA

DiMaria was one of the stories of the group stage, as the USA forward plundered a mind-boggling 11 goals in just three matches to smash all manner of records. Away from her goalscoring exploits, she also had the most shots on target with the highest conversion rate of any player to have more than two, completed the joint-most takes-ons and racked up the highest xG with a huge 3.74.

Mercedes Diz

Argentina

When Diz scored to put Argentina 2-0 up versus Morocco in their final Group A match, the electric forward had been responsible for all five of her nation's goals. She added another in a 5-1 win to become the first Argentinian to score a hat-trick at these finals. Away from her goals, Diz has proven to be the perfect focal point to the South American's attack, combining speed with strength and exceptional movement.

Nathy

Brazil

No goalkeeper remaining at this tournament made more saves during the groups than Nathy's 20, with those coming from just 24 shots on target. The Brazilian was particularly impressive in the draw with Ghana, making a handful of crucial stops to preserve a point for the Seleção.

Sayana Oshita

Japan

Centre-back Oshita played all but two minutes of Japan's group-stage campaign and was a key cog in the AFC giants being the only team to win all of their matches without conceding. Her ball-playing ability was crucial to helping Japan build and sustain attacks, with only six players completing more than her 150 passes so far.

Citlalli Reyes

Mexico

Reyes played her 13th finals match during the groups to become the tournament's record appearance-maker. Not only that, but she scored and assisted crucial goals versus Chile, before hitting the decisive strike against Australia which took her side to the last 16. A bronze medalist last year, she's now eyeing gold.

Elena Vizuete

Spain

It was plain sailing for Spain as they chalked up three wins to glide through Group F. Midfielder Elena was at the heart of it, scoring a sumptuous curling effort versus Mexico in their opener and bagging a tremendous diving header for Spain's 100th U-17 Women's World Cup goal against Australia. Claudia Pina, Vicky Lopez and Pau Comendador have all dazzled at these finals, and Vizuete looks to be the latest Spaniard to carry that flame.

Hiba Youssoufi

Morocco

Full-back Youssoufi was imperative to Morocco squeezing through the group stage. She scored one and assisted two of the host's seven goals, while no player attempted more crosses than her 23 and only one full-back completed more than her 129 passes.

Fang Zhenzhu

China PR

Several China PR players dazzled during the opening round, with Fang Zhenzhu arguably chief among them. The forward terrorised defences by entering difficult-to-defend spaces and knitted together Chinese attacks with neat touches. She played a part in two of their three goals against Kenya, while scoring one herself in victory over Samoa.