Spain overcame defending champions DPR Korea 4-3 on penalties after a goalless final to claim the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup title in Łódź, Poland, on Sunday.
FIFA reported that Spain goalkeeper Laia Lopez proved decisive in the shootout, stopping efforts from Choe Yon-A and Pak Il-Sim to secure La Rojita’s second title.
The final remained scoreless through regulation time and extra time, with both teams creating limited clear-cut opportunities.
Lopez kept Spain level in the opening half when she rushed out to deny Ho Kyong after a defensive error presented the DPR Korea substitute with a chance just outside the box.
Spain became more threatening after the interval, but Pau Comendador was denied by an impressive save from Pak Ju-Gyong in the 78th minute.
Marisa Garcia also came close during extra time, forcing Pak into two saves.
The contest was ultimately decided from the spot, where Lopez made two saves to hand Spain the trophy.
The success gives Spain a second U-20 Women’s World Cup crown following their 2022 triumph in Costa Rica. It also extends Spain’s run of global titles after their senior men’s team won the FIFA World Cup in July.
Spain coach David Aznar said the achievement brought “a beautiful cycle” to an end for his squad.
“For us, it was a way to bring a beautiful cycle to a close with a brilliant generation that has achieved so much success at youth level, and I think the players have made a tremendous effort. I’m very happy for them, above all to see them happy and to see them rewarded for all the work they have put in to get this far and for the effort they made in this match. It was a very tough, very difficult match, and they made things extremely difficult for us,” Aznar said.
Spain defender Silvia Cristobal said winning the trophy fulfilled a long-standing ambition.
“I think it’s the happiest day of our lives. We’ve dreamed of being here and lifting this long-awaited trophy since we were little. And, well, we’re incredibly happy, extremely proud of the result and of everything we’ve achieved,” Cristobal said.
DPR Korea coach Han Chol-Hak praised his team despite the loss.
“After the game was all over, all of our players were crying and that really broke my heart. So I tried to comfort them. And as the head coach, I think that they all did their best. So I’m very proud of them,” Han said.
The final mirrored the 2024 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup decider, which DPR Korea also won against Spain on penalties by 4-3.
DPR Korea nevertheless set a tournament record in Poland by becoming the first side to complete a FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup without conceding.
Spain forward Pau Comendador also made history by becoming the first player to win two adidas Golden Boot awards at different FIFA women’s youth tournaments, after previously claiming the honour at the 2024 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup with five goals.
