FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup: Germany vs Argentina, Nigeria's opener

The FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco commenced on Saturday, October 17, 2026, featuring four significant matches at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Rabat. Teams from around the globe aimed for triumph in their quests for international glory. The opening day presented an engaging mixture of ambition, history, and new beginnings, particularly highlighted by Germany’s pursuit of their first title and DPR Korea’s intent to extend their championship legacy.

Germany faced Argentina in Group A on Pitch 1, as both teams made their mark in this initial fixture. Germany, making its eighth appearance at the tournament, aimed for the ultimate prize after missing the previous edition. They secured their spot by overcoming France in the UEFA Women’s U-17 Championship Final, lending their experienced side a competitive edge. In contrast, Argentina marked their first tournament entry in nearly twenty years after finishing as runners-up in the South American U-17 Women’s Championship. This stage represented a pivotal moment for Argentina, seeking to carve out their identity on the global football map against a well-established European competitor.

In another crucial matchup, defending champions DPR Korea began their title defence against Puerto Rico in Group B on Pitch 2. Puerto Rico, making their debut in the tournament after a historic qualification, faced a daunting task against the formidable DPR Korea, who recently clinched their fifth AFC U-17 Women’s Asian Cup title. DPR Korea aimed to make history by becoming the first team to win three consecutive FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cups. The challenge for Puerto Rico lay in maintaining composure against a seasoned opponent while striving for an unlikely upset in their first match.

Hosts Morocco kicked off their campaign against New Zealand in Group A on Pitch 3. The North African team looked to capitalize on home advantage, aspiring to avoid the early setbacks they experienced in the last edition of the tournament. A confident performance would be crucial for energizing the local fanbase and improving their overall standing in the competition. New Zealand also sought redemption, as they had not secured a victory in their previous nine World Cup matches. Their recent regional success in the OFC U-16 Women’s Championship, where they achieved five straight wins, provided them with a strong foundation for improvement.

Overall, with four matches occurring simultaneously across the complex's four pitches, the opening day of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup was set to showcase early signs of potential tournament contenders.