The United States exited the U-20 Women’s World Cup in the round of 16 on Wednesday after losing a penalty shootout to Brazil. The match ended 1-1 following extra time before Brazilian goalkeeper Thaís Lima denied Emeri Adames with the opening attempt of the shootout, helping her team secure a 5-4 victory in Katowice, Poland.
The defeat continues a disappointing spell for American youth teams in both the men’s and women’s programs. Since last October, three US youth sides have been unable to win a World Cup knockout match. The U-17 boys and girls were each eliminated on penalties in the round of 16, while the U-20 men went out in the quarter-finals of their tournament in October 2025.
Although the US senior women’s team won Olympic gold in 2024 and lifted two of the previous three Women’s World Cups, the country has not claimed the U-20 title since 2012. That championship squad featured Crystal Dunn, Julie (Johnston) Ertz and Sam Mewis, who have all since retired.
The Americans endured a difficult group stage in Poland. They lost their opening match to Italy and then drew 2-2 with Japan, but a 9-0 victory over New Zealand allowed them to advance as one of the competition’s best third-place teams. Brazil had a much smoother route, defeating Tanzania, Canada and England by a combined score of 9-2 to finish first in their group.
Wednesday’s contest was a physical and untidy encounter, though less heated than the senior teams’ friendly matches in June. Brazilian defender Sofia scored from a corner in the 59th minute, but Seattle Reign midfielder Ainsley McCammon responded from open play late in the 63rd. Neither side produced another goal during the remainder of regulation or extra time, leaving Lima to make the decisive early intervention in the shootout.
Brazil have now reached the U-20 Women’s World Cup quarter-finals in three consecutive editions and in seven of their 12 appearances overall. Their best results remain third-place finishes in 2006 and 2022.
Emma Hayes raises concerns over tournament schedule
Former players and coaches have questioned the timing of this year’s U-20 Women’s World Cup. The biennial competition is generally held in August or September, with the current edition taking place toward the end of that period. Because it falls outside an official Fifa international window, several clubs with active domestic campaigns chose not to release their players.
On Tuesday, current and former players including Alex Morgan, Marta, Dunn and Sophia Wilson signed a public letter urging Fifa to review the scheduling of future U-20 Women’s World Cups. Emma Hayes also expressed concern about whether American youth internationals are receiving enough demanding tournament experience, particularly after youth competitions were given less priority under previous development strategies.
Hayes said the situation should be treated as a serious warning, adding that she was deeply concerned about the direction of the program and the limited opportunities available for young American players to gain these important experiences.
Holding the tournament in September creates difficulties for club-based players in leagues with different calendars. In fall-to-spring competitions such as the Women’s Super League, young players can be taken away soon after preseason, limiting their chances to establish themselves in the first team while also missing the opening weeks of the campaign. In spring-to-fall leagues such as the NWSL, clubs must decide whether to approve international call-ups during a crucial stage of the regular season.
Several eligible American players were not included in the tournament squad, among them OL Lyonnes midfielder Lily Yohannes, Bay midfielder Claire Hutton, promising central defender Jordyn Bugg and creative playmaker Melanie Barcenas.
North Korea entered the competition as defending champions, with the final scheduled for 27 September.
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