2018 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup
On the 6th of March 2014, FIFA announced that bidding had begun for the 2018 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup. Member associations interested in hosting had to submit a declaration of interest by the 15th of April 2014. They needed to provide complete bidding documents by the 31st of October 2014. The FIFA Executive Committee would select the hosts in 2015. England registered an expression of interest by the April 2014 deadline. In June 2014 it was announced that they would no longer proceed with their bid. New Zealand also registered an expression of interest by the April 2014 deadline. By June 2014, New Zealand announced they would no longer proceed. South Africa registered an expression of interest by the April 2014 deadline as well. In June 2014, South Africa announced they would no longer proceed. France were awarded the hosting rights of both tournaments by the FIFA Executive Committee on the 19th of March 2015.
A total of 16 teams qualified for the final tournament held between 5 and the 24th of August 2018. France qualified automatically as hosts. The other 15 teams qualified from six separate continental competitions. The slot allocation was approved by the FIFA Council on 13, the 14th of October 2016. Haiti made their U-20 Women's World Cup debut during this tournament. The Netherlands also made their U-20 Women's World Cup debut. North Korea were the defending champions but were eliminated by host France in the quarter-finals. Six teams participated from Asia including China, Japan, Chinese Taipei, Thailand, Vietnam, and North Korea. Five teams came from Europe including Spain, Germany, England, France, and Italy. Three teams represented Africa with Nigeria, Ghana, and Cameroon. Two teams came from South America with Brazil and Argentina. One team represented Oceania with New Zealand. One team came from North America with Canada.
The four host cities all located in the region of Brittany were announced on the 7th of September 2017. The opening match, semi-finals, third place match and final were played in Vannes. Stade de la Rabine in Vannes had a capacity of 9,500 spectators. Stade Guy Piriou in Concarneau held 5,800 people. Stade de Marville in Saint-Malo accommodated 2,500 fans. Stade du Clos Gastel in Dinan-Léhon seated 2,000 supporters. All venues were situated within the same geographic region to minimize travel distances for teams and officials. The tournament branding emblem was unveiled on the 22nd of September 2017. The official draw took place at the Rennes Opera House in Rennes on the 8th of March 2018 at 11:00 CET.
Players born between the 1st of January 1998 and the 31st of December 2002 were eligible to compete in the tournament. Each team had to name a preliminary squad of 35 players. From the preliminary squad, the team had to name a final squad of 21 players by the FIFA deadline. Three of those 21 players must be goalkeepers. Players in the final squad could be replaced due to serious injury up to 24 hours prior to kickoff of the team's first match. A total of 15 referees and 30 assistant referees were appointed by FIFA for the tournament. Teams of the same confederation could not meet in the group stage except for UEFA with five teams so one group would contain two UEFA teams. The top two teams of each group advanced to the quarter-finals. Rankings of teams in each group followed specific tie-breaking criteria outlined in regulations Article 17.7.
The official schedule was unveiled on the 17th of January 2018. All times were local CEST (UTC+2). Group A featured France, China, Chinese Taipei, and North Korea. Group B included Japan, Germany, England, and Italy. Group C contained Spain, Brazil, Argentina, and New Zealand. Group D had Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon, and Canada. The top two teams of each group advanced to the quarter-finals. If two or more teams were equal on the basis of points, goal difference, and goals scored, their rankings were determined by additional criteria. All matches took place across four different cities within Brittany. The host nation France played their opening match at Stade de la Rabine in Vannes. Sixteen teams competed across eight days of group play before advancing to knockout rounds.
In the knockout stages, if a match was level at the end of normal playing time, extra time would be played. Two periods of 15 minutes each comprised the extra time period. A penalty shoot-out followed if necessary to determine the winner. For the third place match, no extra time was played and the winner was determined by a penalty shoot-out if necessary. North Korea were eliminated by host France in the quarter-finals. The final took place at Stade de la Rabine, Vannes between Spain and Japan. This match was a rematch from the group stage. Japan won their first title, beating Spain 3, 1 in the Final. Sandy MacIver received the Golden Glove award for best goalkeeper. Patricia Guijarro earned the Silver Ball as second-best player overall. Saori Takarada claimed the Bronze Ball as third-best performer.
The following awards were given for the tournament including individual accolades for top performers. Patricia Guijarro won the Golden Ball as the best player overall. She also claimed the Golden Boot with 6 goals and 3 assists combined. Saori Takarada received the Silver Ball as second-best player. Georgia Stanway earned the Silver Boot with 6 goals total. Moeka Minami won the Bronze Ball as third-best player. She scored 5 goals and provided 3 assists during the competition. Sandy MacIver received the Golden Glove award for best goalkeeper. The FIFA Fair Play Award recognized the team demonstrating fair play throughout the tournament. Six teams qualified from Asia while five came from Europe. Three African nations participated alongside two South American representatives. One Oceania team and one North American side completed the sixteen-team field.
Common questions
When was the 2018 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup held?
The tournament took place between the 5th and the 24th of August 2018. France qualified automatically as hosts while the other 15 teams qualified from six separate continental competitions.
Which country hosted the 2018 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup?
France were awarded the hosting rights by the FIFA Executive Committee on the 19th of March 2015. The four host cities all located in the region of Brittany were announced on the 7th of September 2017.
Who won the 2018 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup final match?
Japan won their first title by beating Spain 3 to 1 in the Final at Stade de la Rabine, Vannes. This match was a rematch from the group stage where North Korea were eliminated by host France in the quarter-finals.
What are the eligibility rules for players in the 2018 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup?
Players born between the 1st of January 1998 and the 31st of December 2002 were eligible to compete in the tournament. Each team had to name a preliminary squad of 35 players before selecting a final squad of 21 players by the FIFA deadline.
How many teams qualified for the 2018 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup final tournament?
A total of 16 teams qualified for the final tournament held between 5 and the 24th of August 2018. Six teams participated from Asia including China, Japan, Chinese Taipei, Thailand, Vietnam, and North Korea while five teams came from Europe including Spain, Germany, England, France, and Italy.