On Wednesday, October 16, 2024, di U.S. Under-17 Women’s Youth National Team kick off dem campaign for di 2024 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup against reigning champions Spain in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Dis match be di first encounter between di two teams in di history of di FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, despite both teams participating in di tournament for di sixth time.
Di USA team, led by head coach Katie Schoepfer, qualify for di tournament after winning di 2024 Concacaf Women’s Under-17 Championship in Mexico. Dem dominate dem group stage, defeating Panama 13-0, Puerto Rico 3-1, and Canada 5-0, before beating Haiti 7-1 in di semifinal and rolling past host Mexico 4-0 in di championship game. Midfielder Kennedy Fuller score eight goals in di tournament, including five in di opening game against Panama, and win di Golden Ball as di top player.
Spain, on di other hand, be di defending champions, having won di last two FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup tournaments. Dey won di 2024 UEFA Women’s U-17 Championship in Sweden, scoring nine goals and allowing none in di group stage, then trouncing France 6-1 in di semifinals and England 4-0 in di final. Alba Cerrato lead her team with seven goals in di tournament.
Di match against Spain mark a significant challenge for di USA team, as dey face a tough Group B that includes European champions Spain, Asia third-place finishers Korea Republic, South American runners-up Colombia, and Concacaf champions United States. Di USA will be without key player Alex Pfeiffer, who miss di tournament due to an ACL injury.
Di 2024 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup be di last 16-team tournament, as next year di event will become an annual competition featuring 24 nations. Di tournament will be held in Santo Domingo and Santiago de los Caballeros, Dominican Republic, from October 16 to November 3.
