The United States were eliminated from the U-20 Women's World Cup in the last 16 on Wednesday, losing 5-4 on penalties to Brazil after a 1-1 draw following extra-time in Katowice, Poland.
Key facts
- The USA lost to Brazil 5-4 on penalties in the last 16 after a 1-1 draw following extra-time.
- Brazil goalkeeper Thaís Lima saved Emeri Adames's attempt to open the shootout.
- Brazil advance to the quarter-finals in Poland.
- The USA have not won the tournament since 2012.
- It is the third time since last October that a US youth team has failed to win a knockout game at a World Cup.
The United States were eliminated from the U-20 Women’s World Cup in the last 16 on Wednesday, falling to Brazil on penalties after the sides played to a 1-1 draw following extra-time, according to the Guardian.
The shootout in Katowice, Poland, finished 5-4 in Brazil’s favour. Brazil goalkeeper Thaís Lima made a crucial save on Emeri Adames’s attempt at the start of the shootout, setting the tone for the eventual outcome.
With the win, Brazil advance to the quarter-finals of the tournament. For the United States, the defeat marks another early exit, with the Americans having not won the competition since 2012.
The result extends a difficult run of form for US youth national teams across both the men’s and women’s programs, the Guardian reported.
It is the third time since last October that a US youth team has failed to win a knockout game at a World Cup. The U-17 boys and the U-17 girls both exited in the last 16 of their respective tournaments in shootouts, while the U-20 men fell in the quarter-final of their World Cup in October 2025.
The pattern of early exits has drawn attention to the recent struggles of US youth teams at the international level.
Why it matters
Youth tournaments are an important pipeline for developing future senior national team players. A run of early exits across multiple US youth teams raises questions about the strength of the country's development programs at a critical stage.
Frequently asked questions
How did the USA lose to Brazil at the U-20 Women's World Cup?
The USA lost 5-4 on penalties after the match finished 1-1 following extra-time. Brazil goalkeeper Thaís Lima saved Emeri Adames's attempt to begin the shootout.
When did the USA last win the U-20 Women's World Cup?
According to the Guardian, the United States have not won the tournament since 2012.
Have other US youth teams struggled recently?
Yes. Since last October, the U-17 boys and U-17 girls both exited in the last 16 in shootouts, and the U-20 men fell in the quarter-final of their World Cup in October 2025.