The United States exited 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
- USA lost to Brazil on penalties (5-4) after a 1-1 draw in extra-time.
- The match was decided in the last 16 in Katowice, Poland.
- Brazil goalkeeper Thaís Lima saved Emeri Adames's opening attempt in the shootout.
- US youth teams have not won the tournament since 2012.
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 two sides played to a 1-1 draw following extra-time in Katowice, Poland.
The shootout finished 5-4 in Brazil’s favour. Brazil goalkeeper Thaís Lima made a crucial save on Emeri Adames’s attempt to begin the shootout, setting the tone for the eventual result, according to the Guardian.
The defeat extends a difficult run of form for US youth national teams across both the men’s and women’s programs. The Americans have not won the tournament since 2012, the Guardian reported.
This marks 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.
The U-20 men also struggled recently, falling in the quarter-final of their World Cup in October 2025, according to the Guardian. The timing of the U-20 World Cup has drawn criticism.
Taken together, the results point to broader questions about the recent performances of US youth soccer programs on the world stage.
Why it matters
The elimination continues a run of underwhelming results for US youth national teams across both the men's and women's programs. As development pipelines feed senior squads, repeated early exits raise questions about the state of American soccer's next generation.
Frequently asked questions
How did the USA lose to Brazil?
The USA drew 1-1 with Brazil after extra-time and then lost the penalty shootout 5-4 in the last 16 in Katowice, Poland.
When did a US team last win the U-20 Women's World Cup?
According to the Guardian, the Americans have not won the tournament since 2012.
Have other US youth teams struggled recently?
Yes. The U-17 boys and U-17 girls both exited in the last 16 of their tournaments in shootouts, and the U-20 men fell in the quarter-final of their World Cup in October 2025.