The group stage of the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Poland produced seven hat-tricks and several notable statistical landmarks, but few performances matched Nigeria forward Winner David’s impact against New Caledonia.
The knockout stage, beginning with the Round of 16 on Thursday 17th of September, was preceded by the release of FIFA’s figures from a group phase filled with goals and records.
David came off the bench at half-time in Nigeria’s final Group F match, with the Falconets already leading New Caledonia. She scored three times in the second half of a 10-1 victory, completing her hat-trick in 49 minutes.
Her achievement was particularly notable because Nigeria’s Ramotalahi Kareem also scored three times in the same match. While Kareem started the game, David reached the landmark after beginning on the substitutes’ bench.
The result gave Nigeria a strong finish to the group stage after an opening 2-0 defeat by Spain and a goalless draw with China PR.
Seven hat-tricks in the group stage
Seven players scored hat-tricks during the opening round. China PR’s Huang Jiaxin was the first, followed by Argentina’s Annika Paz, England’s Rachel Maltby, Spain’s Celia Segura, Poland’s Zuzanna Grzywinska, USA’s Kennedy Fuller and Nigeria’s Winner David.
Paz produced another notable scoring spell, while Maltby also created a record for England. She became the first player to score three penalties in a single U-20 Women’s World Cup group stage.
DPR Korea’s Choe Yon-A later matched that achievement, scoring from the spot against Costa Rica and twice against Colombia.
Spain lead the goalscoring figures
Spain dominated the group-stage statistics after scoring 16 goals. They opened with an 11-0 win over New Caledonia, then defeated China PR 3-1 and Nigeria 2-0.
Only DPR Korea, who scored 17 goals in Group F at Colombia 2024, have scored more in a group stage.
Spain’s opening victory also equalled France’s 11-0 success against Fiji in 2024 as the joint-highest-scoring match in U-20 Women’s World Cup history.
Korea Republic provided another statistical oddity, while the tournament figures also record Russia finishing with -2 in 2004.
England edge Canada on discipline
England and Canada finished Group B level on four points and could not be separated by their head-to-head result. Both teams also had a +3 goal difference and scored seven goals.
England’s conduct score of -2 was better than Canada’s -5, which meant the Lionesses took second place and progressed to the knockout stage.
Costa Rica goalkeeper Ashley Quesada was another player to feature prominently in the statistics. She saved two penalties during the group stage, making her one of the round’s standout goalkeeping performers.