FIFA U-20 World Cup facts for kids
The trophy awarded since 2013
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| Organising body | FIFA |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1977 |
| Region | Worldwide |
| Number of teams | 24 (finals) |
| Related competitions | FIFA World Cup |
| Current champions |  Uruguay (1st title) |
| Most successful team(s) |  Argentina (6 titles) |
| Website | FIFA U-20 World Cup |
The FIFA U-20 World Cup is a major international football tournament. It's for young male players under 20 years old. Teams from all over the world compete! This exciting event happens every two years.
The first tournament was held in 1977 in Tunisia. Back then, it was called the FIFA World Youth Championship. The name changed to FIFA U-20 World Cup in 2007. Many famous football players, like Diego Maradona, Lionel Messi, and Paul Pogba, have played in this tournament before becoming superstars. Erling Haaland was even the top scorer in 2019! The current champions are Uruguay, who won their first title in 2023.
Contents
Tournament History
Since it began, 23 tournaments have been played. Twelve different countries have won the championship. Argentina U20 is the most successful team, with six titles. Brazil U20 is close behind with five titles.
Other teams that have won the tournament include:
- Portugal U20 (2 titles)
- Serbia U20 (2 titles, including one as Yugoslavia U20)
- Ghana U20 (1 title)
- Germany U20 (1 title)
- Spain U20 (1 title)
- France U20 (1 title)
- England U20 (1 title)
- Ukraine U20 (1 title)
- Russia U20 (1 title, as the USSR U20)
- Uruguay U20 (1 title)
There's also a similar tournament for women's teams, called the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup. It started in 2002.
How Teams Qualify
A total of 24 national teams play in the final tournament. One spot is always given to the host country. The other 23 teams have to earn their place! They do this by playing in special youth championships organized by the six football confederations around the world.
Here's how teams qualify from each region:
| Confederation | Championship |
|---|---|
| AFC (Asia) | AFC U-20 Asian Cup |
| CAF (Africa) | U-20 Africa Cup of Nations |
| CONCACAF (North, Central America and Caribbean) | CONCACAF Under-20 Championship |
| CONMEBOL (South America) | South American Youth Football Championship |
| UEFA (Europe) | UEFA European U-19 Championship |
| OFC (Oceania) | OFC Under 20 Qualifying Tournament |
Top Teams in the Tournament
Here are the teams that have reached the top four spots in the FIFA U-20 World Cup:
| Team | Titles | Runners-up | Third place | Fourth place |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Argentina |
6 (1979, 1995, 1997, 2001, 2005, 2007) | 1 (1983) | 1 (2003) | |
 Brazil |
5 (1983, 1985, 1993, 2003, 2011) | 4 (1991, 1995, 2009, 2015) | 3 (1977, 1989, 2005) | |
 Portugal |
2 (1989, 1991) | 1 (2011) | 1 (1995) | |
 Serbia1 |
2 (1987, 2015) | |||
| Uruguay |
1 (2023) | 2 (1997, 2013) | 1 (1979) | 3 (1977, 1999, 2017) |
 Ghana |
1 (2009) | 2 (1993, 2001) | 1 (2013) | 1 (1997) |
 Spain |
1 (1999) | 2 (1985, 2003) | 1 (1995) | |
 Russia2 |
1 (1977) | 1 (1979) | 1 (1991) | 1 (1985) |
 Germany3 |
1 (1981) | 1 (1987) | ||
 England |
1 (2017) | 1 (1993) | 1 (1981) | |
 France |
1 (2013) | 1 (2011) | ||
 Ukraine |
1 (2019) | |||
 Nigeria |
2 (1989, 2005) | 1 (1985) | ||
 Italy |
1 (2023) | 1 (2017) | 1 (2019) | |
 Mexico |
1 (1977) | 1 (2011) | ||
 South Korea |
1 (2019) | 2 (1983, 2023) | ||
 Qatar |
1 (1981) | |||
 Japan |
1 (1999) | |||
 Czech Republic |
1 (2007) | |||
 Venezuela |
1 (2017) | |||
 Mali |
2 (1999, 2015) | |||
 Poland |
1 (1983) | 1 (1979) | ||
 Chile |
1 (2007) | 1 (1987) | ||
 Romania |
1 (1981) | |||
 East Germany |
1 (1987) | |||
 Republic of Ireland |
1 (1997) | |||
 Egypt |
1 (2001) | |||
 Colombia |
1 (2003) | |||
 Hungary |
1 (2009) | |||
 Ecuador |
1 (2019) | |||
 Israel |
1 (2023) | |||
 Australia |
2 (1991, 1993) | |||
 United States |
1 (1989) | |||
 Paraguay |
1 (2001) | |||
 Morocco |
1 (2005) | |||
 Austria |
1 (2007) | |||
 Costa Rica |
1 (2009) | |||
 Iraq |
1 (2013) | |||
 Senegal |
1 (2015) |
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1 = includes results representing Yugoslavia
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2 = includes results representing USSR
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3 = includes results representing West Germany
Continental Success in the Tournament
Teams from every continent except Oceania have reached the final match.
- South America (CONMEBOL) leads with 12 titles! Argentina has 6, Brazil has 5, and Uruguay has 1.
- Europe (UEFA) is second with 10 titles.
- Africa (CAF) has won one title.
- Teams from Asia (AFC) and North, Central America and Caribbean (CONCACAF) have reached the final four times but haven't won the championship yet.
- No team from Oceania (OFC) has ever made it to the semifinals. Australia reached the semifinals twice when it was part of the OFC, but then joined the AFC in 2006.
Tournament Awards
At the end of each tournament, special awards are given to outstanding players and teams:
- The Golden Ball is for the best player in the tournament. Famous winners include Diego Maradona, Lionel Messi, and Paul Pogba.
- The Golden Boot goes to the player who scores the most goals. Erling Haaland won this in 2019.
- The Golden Glove is awarded to the best goalkeeper.
- The FIFA Fair Play Trophy is given to the team that shows the best sportsmanship and has the fewest fouls.
Images for kids
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The trophy awarded since 2013
See also
In Spanish: Copa Mundial de Fútbol Sub-20 para niños
- FIFA World Cup
- FIFA U-17 World Cup
- FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup
