SALÉ, Morocco (Nov. 1, 2026) – The U.S. Under-17 Women’s National Team saw its 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup run come to an end with a 3-0 loss to two-time defending champions Korea DPR, who look well-poised for a three-peat.
In this quarterfinal match, Korea DPR showed why they have won this tournament four times, including the 2024 and 2025 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cups, dominating possession from the early going and firing shots from all over the field. The U.S. was up to the task through the first 30 minutes, and U.S. goalkeeper Avellina Saunders was excellent, making back-to-back saves in the 17th minute on close-range headers from forward Yu Jong Hyang. Saunders came up huge minutes later when Korea DRP was awarded a penalty kick after a Video Support System review, diving to her right to push away the shot from Yu Jong Hyang in the 20th minute.
Over the course of the 90 minutes, the Korean transition attacks were just too powerful, versatile and creative. The Asian champions broke through at the half-hour mark after quickly capitalizing on a USA turnover at midfield. Defender Won Yong Song intercepted a pass and played the ball up the field. Forward Kim Won Sim swung it over to the left side where midfielder Ri Ui Gyong took a couple of touches at the top of the box before sending her skipping shot under Saunders and into the lower right corner.
The North Koreans scored a crucial goal just before halftime, again in transition. Midfielder Chong Gum Eh cut off a USA pass and sent the ball up the left flank to Yu Jong Hyang. The forward played the ball inside the box for Ri Ye Rim, who carried it toward the edge of the six-yard box, cut inside to her right foot to lose her defender and smashed her shot off the fingertips of Saunders and into the back of the goal.
A third, and clinching goal, came for Korea in the 56th minute as Ri Ui Gyong scored her second of the match and fifth of the tournament. Son Won Yong received the ball down the right sideline off a throw-in and made a run towards goal. She played a square pass to the penalty spot, where Ri Ui Gyong sent a spectacular first-time shot into the upper right corner.
Saunders continued her stellar performance by pushing a full volley over the top in the 61st minute on a leaping dive. The 15-year-old, who is age-eligible for next year’s tournament, ended the match with nine total saves.
Most of the U.S. danger came through center forward Maddie DiMiara, who had scored 12 goals in the tournament so far, but whenever she got into the attacking third, the Koreans wisely had two or three players around her. After sending a low shot just outside the left post in the first half, her only other great chance of the match came on a breakaway in the 82nd minute. She carried the ball down the right side and into the six-yard box, but Korean goalkeeper Kim Son Gyong made a brilliant point-blank save on her high shot to the near post.
In the end, the U.S. back line played quite well. Despite piling up a huge advantage in shots, Korea DPR had just 2.75 expected goals in the match, but clearly the better team won and will face regional rival Japan, a team it beat 5-1 in the AFC U-16 title game, in the semifinal. Japan beat Ghana, 1-0, in the other quarterfinal on this side of the bracket.
Amazingly, there were no European teams in the last eight of this FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup.
PRK – RI UI GYONG (KIM WON SIM) 30th minute – Defender Won Yong Song collected a loose ball near midfield and quickly played it up the field to Kim Won Sim. The forward passed the ball to the left side where Ri Ui Gyong took a few dribbles inside the box before shooting a left-footed shot that bounced once in front of goal and into the right-side netting.
PRK – RI YE KIM (YU JONG HYANG) 45+3rd minute – Midfielder Chong Gum Eh intercepted a pass along the left touchline and split two USA defenders with a pass up the field to Yu Jong-Hyang. The forward played the ball into the box for Ri Ye Kim making a run inside. Kim dribbled toward the six-yard box, made a move around her defender and smacked a right-footed shot into the back of the net.
PRK – RI UI GYONG (SON WON YONG) 56th minute – Son Won Yong received the ball off a throw-in down the right flank and made a run towards goal. She played a pass to the penalty spot, where Gyong hit a right-footed shot first time into the upper right corner.
Additional Notes:
Match: United States Under-17 Women’s National Team vs. Korea DPR U-17 WNT
Date: Nov. 1, 2026
Competition: 2026 FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup — Quarterfinal
Venue: Mohammed VI Football Complex – Field 2; Salé, Morocco
Attendance: 166
Kickoff: 3 p.m. ET
Weather: 72 degrees, clear skies
| Scoring Summary | 1 | 2 | F |
| USA | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| PRK | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| PRK – Ri Ui Gyong (Kim Won Sim) | 30th minute |
| PRK – Ri Ye Rim (Yu Jong Hyang) | 45+4 |
| PRK – Ri Ui Gyong (Son Won Yong) | 56 |
Lineups:
USA: 1-Avellina Saunders; 4-Kendra Hansen, 6-Anaiah Williams, 5-Meila Brewer (Capt.), 13-Venina Moodie (15-Cassie Travers, 79); 16-Grace Murray (18-Jordyn Heathcock, 64), 8-Loradana Paletta, 10-Mia Corona (20-Isa Ortiz, 64); 17-Carolina Reyna (19-Gianna Hanf, 46), 7-Maddie DiMaria, 11-Amari Manning (9-Deus Stanislaus, 79)
Substitutes not used: 2-Gigi Zuniga, 3-Maddie Maves, 12-Alexis Fischer, 14-Jordyn Sullivan, 121-Kathy Long Capell
Head Coach: Ciara Crinion
PRK: 1-Kim Son Gyong; 14-Son Won Yong, 3-Pak Kyong Ryong, 5-Ri Pok Rim, 6-Eh Chong Gum; 17-Ri Ye Rim (13-Ri Hyo Yang, 90+5), 20-Kim Ju Gyong (2-Kim So Yon, 90+5), 9-Ri Kyong Im, 7-Ri Ui Gyong; 15-Kim Won Sim (12-Won Sol Gyong, 85), 10-Yu Jong Hyang (11-So Ye Rim, 72)
Substitutes not used: 4-Kim Nam Mi, 8-Uh Yon Chong, 16-Ri Yu Song, 18-Ri Su Jong Ri, 19-Jo Ryong Yong, 21-Hong Ryu Mi
Head coach: Ji Yun Nam
Stats Summary: USA / PRK
Shots: 5 / 33
Shots on Goal: 1 / 12
Saves: 9 / 1
Corner Kicks: 3 / 12
Fouls: 11 / 14
Offside: 3 / 1
| Misconduct Summary | |
| PRK – Pak Kyong Ryong (Caution) | 7th minute |
| USA – Loradana Paletta (Caution) | 71 |
Officials:
Referee: Lara Lee (AUS)
AR1: Nuannid Donjangreed (THA)
AR2: Nicoleta-Ramona Bria (ENG)
4th Official: Fabienne Michel (GER)
Reserve Assistant Referee: Camille Soriano (FRA)