FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup 2026: Nigeria Are the Only African Team Left, Final Standings and Round of 16

The group stage of the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Poland is complete, with all 16 teams for the Round of 16 now confirmed.

Six group winners, six runners-up and the four best third-placed teams have advanced to the knockout stage.

Nigeria’s Falconets are among the teams through after finishing second in Group F with four points. Nigeria finished with a +7 goal difference after an emphatic 10-1 victory over New Caledonia in their final group match.

The result also means Nigeria are the only African team remaining in the tournament.

Here is how the six groups finished.

🇵🇱 Group A

1. 🇵🇱 Poland (9 pts, +7 GD) | Qualified

2. 🇦🇷 Argentina (6 pts, +6 GD) | Qualified

3. 🇲🇽 Mexico (1 pt, −2 GD) | Eliminated

4. 🇧🇯 Benin (1 pt, −11 GD) | Eliminated

Poland finished top of the group with a perfect nine points from three matches, while Argentina secured second place with six points.

🇧🇷 Group B

1. 🇧🇷 Brazil (9 pts, +7 GD) | Qualified

2. 🏴 England (4 pts, +3 GD) | Qualified

3. 🇨🇦 Canada (4 pts, +3 GD) | Qualified

4. 🇹🇿 Tanzania (0 pts, −13 GD) | Eliminated

Brazil also completed the group stage with a perfect record. England finished second, while Canada advanced as one of the four best third-placed teams.

🇫🇷 Group C

1. 🇫🇷 France (7 pts, +5 GD) | Qualified

2. 🇰🇷 South Korea (4 pts, −1 GD) | Qualified

3. 🇪🇨 Ecuador (3 pts, +1 GD) | Eliminated

4. 🇬🇭 Ghana (3 pts, −5 GD) | Eliminated

France topped the group with seven points after two wins and a draw. South Korea finished second on four points.

🇮🇹 Group D

1. 🇮🇹 Italy (7 pts, +4 GD) | Qualified

2. 🇯🇵 Japan (5 pts, +1 GD) | Qualified

3. 🇺🇸 USA (4 pts, +8 GD) | Qualified

4. 🇳🇿 New Zealand (0 pts, −13 GD) | Eliminated

Italy finished first, with Japan second. The United States advanced as one of the four best third-placed teams.

🇰🇵 Group E

1. 🇰🇵 North Korea (9 pts, +9 GD) | Qualified

2. 🇵🇹 Portugal (4 pts, +1 GD) | Qualified

3. 🇨🇴 Colombia (4 pts, −1 GD) | Qualified

4. 🇨🇷 Costa Rica (0 pts, −9 GD) | Eliminated

North Korea were another perfect team in the group stage, winning all three matches. Portugal finished second, while Colombia advanced as one of the best third-placed teams.

🇪🇸 Group F

1. 🇪🇸 Spain (9 pts, +15 GD) | Qualified

2. 🇳🇬 Nigeria (4 pts, +7 GD) | Qualified

3. 🇨🇳 China (4 pts, +3 GD) | Qualified

4. 🇳🇨 New Caledonia (0 pts, −25 GD) | Eliminated

Spain dominated the group with three wins, scoring 16 goals and conceding just one.

Nigeria began their campaign with a 2-0 defeat to Spain before drawing 0-0 with China. The Falconets then produced a stunning response in their final group match, defeating New Caledonia 10-1.

The victory lifted Nigeria to second place in Group F and secured their place in the Round of 16.

China also advanced after finishing third.

The four best third-placed teams were:

1. 🇺🇸 USA (4 pts, +8 GD) | Qualified

2. 🇨🇦 Canada (4 pts, +3 GD) | Qualified

3. 🇨🇳 China (4 pts, +3 GD) | Qualified

4. 🇨🇴 Colombia (4 pts, −1 GD) | Qualified

5. 🇪🇨 Ecuador (3 pts, +1 GD) | Eliminated

6. 🇲🇽 Mexico (1 pt, −2 GD) | Eliminated

This means the 16 teams through to the Round of 16 are:

🇵🇱 Poland
🇦🇷 Argentina
🇧🇷 Brazil
🏴 England
🇨🇦 Canada
🇫🇷 France
🇰🇷 South Korea
🇮🇹 Italy
🇯🇵 Japan
🇺🇸 USA
🇰🇵 North Korea
🇵🇹 Portugal
🇨🇴 Colombia
🇪🇸 Spain
🇳🇬 Nigeria
🇨🇳 China

For Nigeria, the group stage has ended on a high note. The Falconets are the only African team left in the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, following their record 10-1 victory over New Caledonia.

The group stage is over. The knockout battle begins.