Łódź provided a tense, scoreless stage for Spain’s latest youth triumph on Sunday, as the Spanish women’s under-20 side beat defending champions North Korea 4-3 on penalties to lift the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup.
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Spain claimed the tournament for the second time after neither side could find a goal in normal time or extra time at the Władysław Król Municipal Stadium in the Polish city.
Goalkeeper Laia López decided the final in the shoot-out, saving two North Korean attempts as Spain converted enough of their own kicks to prevail 4-3.
The title adds to Spain’s previous U-20 Women’s World Cup success in 2022. North Korea had arrived in Poland as the reigning champions from 2024 and as one of the competition’s most decorated nations, with three titles, matching Germany and the United States.
Spain’s route to the trophy had also ended Brazil’s campaign in the quarter-finals, where the Spanish team won 1-0.
A final weekend in Łódź
The same stadium hosted the third-place match on Saturday, when Colombia overcame Italy on penalties to take third position in the competition.
The FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup is played every two years. The host nation for the next edition has not yet been announced.
