The Under-20 World Cup got underway this week with 24 teams all gunning to be crowned world champions. The tournament was last played in 2023, when Uruguay claimed their first-ever title at U20 level in Argentina with a 1-0 victory over Italy, thanks to a goal from Luciano Rodríguez.
The 24th edition is also on South American soil, this time in Chile, which previously hosted back in 1987. Plenty has changed since then – the final featured two sides who no longer exist as independent states, as Yugoslavia edged West Germany on penalties. The hosts finished fourth in that tournament after suffering a shootout defeat to East Germany.
Group A
In matchweek one, Japan enjoyed a 2-0 win over Egypt with goals from Rion Ichihara and Hisatsugu Ishii, before hosts Chile edged New Zealand in a nervy encounter. Lautaro Millán opened the scoring for Chile, only for them to be pegged back by Nathan Walker from the spot. However, a stoppage-time penalty from Palestino’s Ian Garguez sealed a 2-1 victory for the hosts in game one.
Group B
South Korea, who finished fourth in the 2023 tournament, began this campaign in disastrous fashion as Ukraine stormed into a 2-0 lead through goals from Hennadiy Synchuk and Oleksandr Pyshchur. Kim Myung-jun pulled one back for the Koreans, but it proved too little, too late.
In the other fixture in Group B, Martín Krug gave Panama an early lead against Paraguay, but La Albirroja responded quickly, with Alexandro Maidana and Wolverhampton Wanderers forward Enzo González turning the game around. Giovany Herbert struck to level for Panama, and with the match seemingly destined for a draw, Tiago Caballero produced a superb finish in the dying moments to snatch all three points for Paraguay.
Group C
After a quiet first half, Morocco came flying out of the blocks after the restart, with Yassir Zabiri and Gessime Yassine striking to seal a 2-0 victory over 2024 European Under-19 Championship winners Spain.
The other Group C clash was a classic, as Mexico and Brazil produced a thrilling encounter. Alexéi Domínguez opened the scoring for Mexico in the 10th minute, only for Rafael Coutinho to level matters 11 minutes later with a stunning volley from the edge of the box. After the break, one of Palmeiras’ many young talents, Luighi, fired the Seleção into the lead, but Diego Ochoa rescued a point for Mexico with a towering header from a corner.
Such a lovely strike from Rafael Coutinho for Brazil U20’s in their 2-2 draw with Mexico yesterday. #U20WC pic.twitter.com/ZChgM0QGRF
— Louis Smith (@louissmith22) September 30, 2025
Group D
Italy edged past U20 Asian Cup champions Australia with a narrow 1-0 victory, secured by an early penalty from Mattia Mannini.
Elsewhere, Alejo Sarco struck twice inside the opening 41 minutes to put Argentina in control against Cuba. Karel Pérez pulled one back before the interval, but despite a tighter second half, Ian Subiabre sealed the points late on to confirm Argentina’s win.
Group E
After failing to make it out of the group stage in 2023, France began this campaign determined to put things right. Anthony Bermont gave Les Bleus a first-half lead, only for Jody Ah Shene to equalise from the penalty spot. But with ten minutes remaining, Lucas Michal produced a composed finish to secure a hard-fought win for the French.
New Caledonia’s first-ever U20 World Cup campaign could not have started in worse fashion. There was no defying the soccer odds as they trailed 7-0 at half-time against 2023 quarter-finalists the United States. Benjamin Cremaschi netted a hat-trick, Nolan Norris added a brace, while Niko Tsakiris and Francis Westfield also got on the scoresheet in a devastating first-half display.
After a relentless first half, the United States noticeably took their foot off the gas after the break. Taha Habroune still managed to add a seventh-minute strike midway through the half, but the biggest cheer of the night came when Wapae Simane pounced on a defensive error to score New Caledonia’s first-ever U20 World Cup goal. Their joy was short-lived, though, as Cole Campbell restored the cushion late on to round off a commanding 9-1 victory for the Americans.
Group F
Norway, making their fourth appearance at the U20 World Cup after failing to progress from the group stage in any of their previous campaigns, began their latest quest in promising fashion. A ninth-minute penalty from Rasmus Holten proved decisive, sealing a 1-0 victory over Nigeria.
The other Group F encounter was also a tight affair, with Oscar Perea’s second-half strike enough to hand Colombia a 1-0 win over Saudi Arabia.
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