The 10th edition of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup kicked off in explosive fashion on Saturday across the pitches of the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Rabat.
The opening four fixtures yielded a staggering 18 goals, headlined by a second-half host nation spectacle from Morocco, a six-goal warning shot from reigning world champions DPR Korea, a hard-fought German comeback, and an opportunistic European triumph for Poland over Nigeria.
Striver.Football recaps all the action from matchday one of the ongoing tournament.
Group A
Morocco 4-0 New Zealand
The host nation produced a second-half masterclass to delight home supporters. Despite controlling long stretches of first-half possession, the Atlas Lionesses were repeatedly thwarted by New Zealand's stubborn rearguard and an inspired performance between the sticks by goalkeeper Nienke Holland.
Morocco finally broke the deadlock on 57 minutes when Eintracht Frankfurt’s Sonia Abajiou met a wide delivery to power home an unstoppable header.
Pressure continued to mount as Nora El Rhachoua rattled the woodwork, before a low cross deflected off the unfortunate Eden Chaytor into her own net. Substitute Imane Dhissi added a third via a deflected strike, before player of the match Hiba Youssoufi calmly converted an 82nd-minute penalty to wrap up a dream opening night.
Germany 2-1 Argentina
Sabine Loderer’s German side rallied back from an early shock to register crucial opening points against debutantes Argentina. The South Americans struck first in the ninth minute when Mercedes Diz intercepted a misplaced back-pass from Clara Choisy, rounded Bianca Virga, and finished sharply from an acute angle.
Diz missed a golden opportunity to double the lead shortly after when she fired over from close range following Josefina Galarza's low cross.
Germany punished the miss on 25 minutes; Marie Kleeman forced a turnover deep in the Argentine penalty box, setting up team captain Johanna Hebben to stroke home the equaliser. The match turned decisively in the 42nd minute when Argentina's Oriana Bralo was shown a straight red card following a VAR review for a high studs-up challenge on Choisy.
Germany made their player advantage count seven minutes after the interval as Kleeman released halftime substitute Mia Kuhn, who darted into the box and drilled a low shot into the bottom corner.
Group B
DPR Korea 6-0 Puerto Rico
Defending champions DPR Korea opened their title defense with a ruthless display of offensive efficiency, swarming tournament debutantes Puerto Rico from the opening whistle.
Yu Jong-hyang kicked off the scoring with a sixth-minute header before Ri Ui-gyong and Kim Won-sim extended the advantage.
Yu, the adidas Golden Ball and Golden Boot winner at the 2025 tournament, scored the goal of the match on 38 minutes with a thunderous long-range strike into the top corner.
Ri Ye-rim added a fifth in first-half stoppage time, before Kim Won-sim completed her brace shortly after the restart. To their credit, Puerto Rico regrouped in the second half, tightening their central defensive shape to prevent further damage against Ji Yun-nam's side.
Poland 2-1 Nigeria
Poland showed supreme structural discipline to withstand a late Nigerian onslaught and secure three points in Group B.
After an early goal-line clearance from Nigeria's Elizabeth Adesuyi kept the scores level, Poland earned a 33rd-minute penalty when Zofia Cendrowska was brought down inside the box by Ohunene Sunday following a rebound save from Jane Ijirigho. Wiktoria Skrzypczak converted from twelve yards, sending the keeper the wrong way.
Poland extended their lead on 65 minutes when the Flamingos failed to clear Blanka Zajac's cross, allowing Natalia Skrok to turn and fire through a congested penalty box.
Nigeria set up a frantic finish in the 79th minute when Oluebube Umejiaku's deep free-kick curled past everyone into the far corner. Umejiaku had a chance to equalize from eight yards out shortly after, but failed to adjust her feet in time as Poland held on to secure the victory.
2026 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup Matchday 1 By The Numbers
18 - Total goals scored across the opening four fixtures, averaging a staggering 4.5 goals per match.
6 - The margin of victory for DPR Korea against Puerto Rico, marking the largest win of the day.
3 - The number of braces scored on Day 1. DPR Korea's Yu Jong-hyang and Kim Won-sim both bagged two goals each against Puerto Rico, while Morocco's attack dazzled home fans with four second-half strikes.
1 - Red card issued on the opening day. Argentina's Oriana Bralo was sent off in the 42nd minute following a VAR review, shifting momentum in favor of Germany's eventual 2–1 comeback.
0 - Points for African giants Nigeria, who suffered a setback against a disciplined Poland side.
10 - Matchday 1 officially marked the arrival of the 10th edition of the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup.
