FIFA has confirmed the squads of the 24 teams that will compete in the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup in Morocco. The tournament begins on 17 October and ends on 7 November, with all matches concentrated in Rabat and nearby venues according to the official schedule.
The edition brings together teams from all six confederations and will be organized into six groups. The top two in each group advance, as do the four best third-placed teams. This design increases the importance of every matchday: a team can remain alive even without finishing among the top two, but that will depend on comparison with other groups.
North Korea arrives as the reigning champion and seeks to defend the title. Spain appears as one of the teams with a strong history in the competition, with two titles. Argentina, Australia and Puerto Rico will make their debuts at the U-17 World Cup, according to FIFA's presentation.
The tournament's geography is also part of the story. Until the semifinals, matches will be played across four pitches at the Mohammed VI Football Complex. The third-place match and the final are scheduled for Prince Moulay El Hassan Stadium, also in Rabat, on 7 November.
For those who follow players in formation, the official squad list is the safest starting point. It identifies the athletes registered by each federation, while interviews, lineups and minutes on the pitch can change during the tournament. It is not correct to turn a confirmed squad list into a promise of performance.
The World Cup also takes place within a change of scale: this is the second of five consecutive editions held in Morocco and the second after the adoption of the annual format with 24 teams. The context helps explain why the tournament has come to occupy a larger space in the international youth calendar.
In youth football, the most important information is knowing who is officially in the tournament before projecting who will stand out.
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