Poland 2026: Spain Set Up Final Showdown With ‘Powerhouse’ DPR Korea
Spain will face defending champions DPR Korea in the final of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Poland 2026 after both sides secured convincing victories in Wednesday’s semi-finals in Łódź.
Spain booked their place in Sunday’s showpiece with a 2–0 victory over Italy, while DPR Korea continued their impressive title defence with a 3–0 win over Colombia.
The final will bring together Spain, the 2022 champions, and a DPR Korea side chasing a record-extending fourth U-20 Women’s World Cup title and an unprecedented back-to-back triumph in the competition.
Spain broke the deadlock against Italy in the 40th minute when Elena Belli turned the ball into her own net, before Pau Comendador doubled the advantage in the 56th minute. Daniela Agote was instrumental in both goals and was named Player of the Match.
DPR Korea, meanwhile, produced another commanding display against Colombia. Pak Ok-I opened the scoring in the 28th minute before Choe Rim-jong doubled the lead seven minutes later.
So Ryu-gyong completed the scoring two minutes after half-time to send the holders into another final. Jon Il-chong was named Player of the Match.
The Asian side has been described by FIFA as a powerhouse of women’s youth football, having won seven FIFA U-20 and U-17 Women’s World Cup titles since 2006. Their record includes three U-20 titles — in 2006, 2016 and 2024 — as well as four U-17 crowns.
DPR Korea are now seeking to become the first team to successfully defend the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup title.
The Korean side has gone nine consecutive U-20 World Cup matches without conceding, dating back to Austria’s Valentina Madl scoring against them at the 2024 tournament.
Spain, however, will arrive at the final with recent experience against DPR Korea at youth level. The two nations met in the final of the 2024 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, where DPR Korea prevailed on penalties after a 1–1 draw.
Sunday’s final therefore presents another meeting between two of the leading forces in women’s youth football, with Spain seeking their second U-20 world title and DPR Korea attempting to extend their remarkable dominance at the tournament.
The final is scheduled for Sunday, September 27, at Stadion Miejski ŁKS Łódź.
Results at a glance
Spain 2–0 Italy
Elena Belli (own goal) 40’, Pau Comendador 56’
DPR Korea 3–0 Colombia
Pak Ok-I 28’, Choe Rim-jong 35’, So Ryu-gyong 47’
Final: Spain vs DPR Korea — Sunday, September 27.
