North Korea, Canada, and Nigeria football all punched their tickets to the quarterfinals at the 2026 U-20 Women's World Cup this week, each winning by multiple goals in the international soccer tournament's mismatched Round of 16.
After winning FIFA's previous 2024 edition, DPR Korea led the way, shutting out Japan 2-0 and extending a tournament run that includes zero goals conceded across four matches.
Canada, Nigeria Earn Upset Wins at 2026 U-20 World Cup
Meanwhile, Canada women's soccer pulled off the day's biggest upset. The Canadians, who barely squeaked through the group stage as a third-place qualifier, stunned France 3-1. That scoreline flipped the script on a French side that topped Group C and entered the knockouts as a gold medal favorite.
Nigeria's U-20 squad delivered an equally decisive performance on the other side of the bracket. The Super Falconets dismantled England 3-0 in Bielsko-Biała, turning what should have been a competitive matchup into a blowout before halftime.
All three results underlined a wider theme at the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup: the gap between traditional powers and rising programs is shrinking fast. DPR Korea now faces a quarterfinal test as it chases a record fourth title, while Canada and Nigeria each advanced to the final eight for the first time this FIFA cycle.
The quarterfinals are set for September 20th in Poland.
