Spain have won the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup after beating defending champions DPR Korea 4-3 on penalties in Lodz, Poland.
The game finished goalless after 90 minutes and extra time, so a penalty shootout was needed to decide the winner.
Laia Lopez, Spain’s goalkeeper, saved penalties from Choe Yon-A and Pak Il-Sim to earn her nation the trophy. Spain converted all four of their penalties to claim their second U-20 Women’s World Cup title. They last won the competition in 2022 in Costa Rica.
Lopez had earlier been instrumental in the game being tied at 0-0. She came out of her area in the first half to block Ho Kyong, following a defensive mistake that gifted DPR Korea an opening.
Spain piled on the pressure after the break as Pau Comendador hit the woodwork in the 78th minute. Pak Ju-Gyong, goalkeeper for DPR Korea, made a flying stop to keep his side in the game.
Marisa Garcia also had a shot during extra time, but Pak made another brilliant save to give his side a chance to win the match. The result means Spain have beaten rivals DPR Korea in the final of a FIFA tournament for the first time. Spain lost to DPR Korea in the 2024 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup final, where the Asian nation won 5-4 on penalties.
However, DPR Korea made history by becoming the first team to go through a FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup campaign without conceding a goal.
Spain’s coach, David Aznar, praised his players for their efforts in the ‘difficult final’. DPR Korea’s Han Chol-Hak was also delighted with his side’s display, despite their loss.
The win means Spain are champions of the 2026 U-20 Women’s World Cup in Poland.
