We put the finishing touches on our group-stage previews with a deep dive into Group F at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup 2026 in Morocco.
This group brings together a two-time European champion, a consistent North American contender, an Oceanian debutant and a South American side led by one of the tournament’s standout goalscorers.
With Spain, Mexico, Australia, and Chile drawn together, Group F stands out as a highly technical and unpredictable pool. Striver.Football brings your definitive guide to the Group F.
Spain: Two-Time Champions Target Another Deep Run
Spain arrive in Morocco as perennial tournament favourites. Known for their technical quality, possession-based style and tactical discipline, La Rojita will aim to challenge for the title.
Head Coach: Mila Martinez
How They Qualified: Spain earned their place on the world stage with typical European dominance, storming through to reach the final four of the UEFA Women's Under-17 Championship.
World Cup History: Spain possesses a legendary pedigree at this level, Spain will make their eighth appearance at the tournament in 2026, having previously competed in 2010, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2022, 2024 and 2025. They are the ultimate heavyweight regulars, having been crowned World Champions twice (2018, 2022).
Player to Watch: Iraia Fernandez - Athletic Club's rising starlet Iraia Fernandez gives Spain a terrifying competitive edge down the flank. While she has spent the majority of her domestic club career tormenting defenders as an out-and-out left winger, she transitions into a world-class left-back when wearing the national colors.
Fernandez is a powerful, buccaneering runner who is completely accomplished in possession. Her defensive intelligence allows her to shut down opposing counter-attacks, but it is her explosive overlapping presence that changes games.
She was at her absolute best during a 4-0 qualifying victory over Finland, where she carried the ball forward before smashing a delightful strike into the top-right corner—a performance that rightly earned her a spot in the official Team of the Tournament.
Mexico: Counter-Attacking Threat Led by Nicole Jimenez
Mexico arrives in North Africa looking to replicate their historical youth surges. Combining a rugged physical defensive block with dynamic, lightning-fast counter-attacks, they are a nightmare matchup for anyone.
Head Coach: Miguel Gamero
How They Qualified: Mexico cruised into the World Cup finals with absolute authority, winning their group during the CONCACAF U-17 Women's World Cup qualification phase.
World Cup History: The Mexicans boast rich tournament consistency, marking 2026 as their 9th appearance at the finals (2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2022, 2024, 2025, 2026). Their historical zenith came in 2018 when they finished as global Runners-up.
Player to watch: Nicole Jimenez - The ultimate focal point of Mexico's frontline is the clinical, Paris-born striker Nicole Jimenez. Standing out as the only player in the Mexican squad plying her trade outside of North America, Jimenez recently secured a high-profile move from Paris Saint-Germain to Marseille.
The 16-year-old is an extraordinarily incisive dribbler. Blessed with blistering raw pace and an exceptionally long stride, Jimenez excels at playing off the shoulder of the last defender, making her incredibly dangerous when running in-behind. Her physical frame makes her near-impossible to knock off the ball under pressure.
Crucially, she is an absolute workhorse out of possession, relentlessly pressing opposition center-backs to spearhead Gamero's defensive system from the front.
Australia: Debutants Ready to Make Their Mark
History will be written the moment Australia takes the pitch. Making their tournament bow, the CommBank Junior Matildas arrive with a highly technical generation eager to capture global headlines.
Head Coach: Michael Cooper
Player to Watch: Frida Karaberis (Midfielder, Western Sydney Wanderers)
How They Qualified: Australia punched their ticket to Morocco by putting together a historic, gritty continental campaign to reach the semi-final of the U-17 AFC Women's Asian Cup.
World Cup History: Australia is entering completely uncharted territory. The 2026 edition marks their very 1st appearance at a FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup, meaning they have no previous tournament record and are playing with the freedom of ultimate dark horses.
Player to Watch: Frida Karaberis - The hype surrounding 15-year-old midfielder Frida Karaberis is entirely justified. Despite entering the AFC Asian Cup as Australia's youngest roster option, she left an indelible mark on the entire tournament.
Karaberis is an exceptionally gifted midfield orchestrator. She put on a clinic against India and Lebanon in the group stages before showcasing her clutch gene by scoring the crucial opening goal to sink Vietnam in the quarter-finals.
Fresh off signing her first professional contract with A-League side Western Sydney Wanderers earlier this year, Karaberis possesses elite vision, immaculate close control, and a footballing maturity that belies her young age.
Chile: Antonella Martinez Leads the Golden Boot Charge
Chile breaks a four-year global absence to return to the World Cup arena. They are a deeply resilient side structurally, built entirely to unlock the explosive talents of their frontline superstars.
Head Coach: Vanessa Arauz
Player to Watch: Antonella Martinez (Forward)
World Cup History: Chile booked their flight to North Africa by showing immense steel to defeat Ecuador in the high-stakes South American Under-17 Women's Football Championship play-offs.
Tournament History: This marks Chile's 3rd appearance at the global showcase (2010, 2022, 2026). In their previous two outings, they were eliminated in the group stage, a historical ceiling they are heavily tipped to shatter this year.
Player to Watch: Antonella Martinez- Chile’s entire tactical framework is built to maximize the lethal instincts of their superstar number seven, Antonella Martinez.
She single-handedly carried her nation through qualifying, capturing the tournament Golden Boot after netting five goals in just six matches.
Tactical Blueprint: Martinez is a dynamic, explosive forward who can create goals out of absolutely nothing.
She famously iced Chile's qualification in the do-or-die play-off against Ecuador; she collected the ball out wide, danced past her marker with mesmerizing footwork, and unleashed a stunning, world-class 30-yard drive into the back of the net.
She is an unpredictable attacking force, equally comfortable dropping deep to drive at defenders or operating as a traditional target forward.
Striver Verdict: Who Will Advance from Group F?
Spain's elite tournament pedigree and the tactical brilliance of Iraia Fernandez make them heavy favorites to top Group F.
The battle for the second knockout spot will be an absolute classic. While Mexico boasts professional-tier pressing with Nicole Jimenez, they will be pushed to the absolute limit by Chile’s Golden Boot winner Antonella Martinez.
Do not count out Australia; Frida Karaberis has the midfield quality to dictate games and cause a massive upset. Expect Spain and a clinical Mexico to narrowly edge through, but Chile will push it down to the final matchday.
