The FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup is an annual (biennial until 2024) international women's association football tournament for female players under the age of 17. It is organized by Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) since 2008. The current champions are North Korea, who won a record third title at the 2024 edition in the Dominican Republic.
History
The opening match between Uruguay and Ghana at the 2018 edition which Ghana won 5–0
In 2003, after the inaugural success of the 2002 FIFA U-19 Women's World Championship, held in Canada, FIFA proposed adding a second youth tournament for girls. Continental confederations told FIFA it would be difficult to create a second championship, with the age limits in place at the time. Therefore, FIFA created the U-17 Women's World Cup and the U-20 Women's World Championship (renamed the "U-20 Women's World Cup" in 2007), the same age groups as its men's youth tournaments. Accordingly, the age limit for the U-19 championship was increased to 20, effective with the 2006 FIFA U-20 Women's World Championship in Russia. FIFA committed to creating a U-17 women's championship, stated to begin in 2008.[1]
On 4 April 2020, FIFA announced the decision of postponing the 2020 World Cup which was originally scheduled in five venues to be held from 2 to 21 November in India.[4] The tournament was initially postponed to 2021, subject to further monitoring.[5] On 17 November 2020, FIFA announced that the 2020 edition of the tournamenth would be cancelled, and India were appointed as hosts of the next edition of the tournament in 2022.[6] However, on 16 August 2022, India were stripped of their hosting rights for 2022 as the All India Football Federation was suspended by FIFA.[7] The rights were given back to India on 26 August 2022 as the AIFF was reinstated by FIFA.[8]
Dominican Republic was selected as host for the 2024 edition on 23 June 2023.[9]
Starting from 2025 the U-17 Women's World Cup and its men's counterpart will be held annually.[10] Morocco was selected to host these edition on 14 March 2024 becoming the first African country to host the event.[11]
In this ranking 3 points are awarded for a win, 1 for a draw and 0 for a loss. As per statistical convention in football, matches decided in extra time are counted as wins and losses, while matches decided by penalty shoot-outs are counted as draws. Teams are ranked by total points, then by goal difference, then by goals scored.[12]
^"FIFA President hails return of "inspiring" FIFA U-17 World Cup". FIFA.com. 15 September 2023. Retrieved 27 September 2023. It is the key reason why this and the FIFA Under-17 Women's World Cup tournament will be held every year, rather than every two years, from 2025 onwards...
