Three Stanford players, Caroline Birkel, Lizzie Boamah, and Y-Lan Nguyen, will represent the U.S. at the 2026 FIFA Under-20 Women鈥檚 World Cup in Poland from September 5-27. The team kicks off against Italy on September 6, followed by matches against Japan (September 9) and New Zealand (September 12). The tournament will feature 24 nations for the second time, with group matches broadcast on FOX networks. Stanford leads all colleges with three players selected for the roster, which includes 8 professionals from the National Women鈥檚 Soccer League and 13 college athletes.

By the Numbers
  • 21 players selected for the U.S. squad, including 3 from Stanford.
  • 24 nations will compete in the tournament, with 6 making their debut.
State of Play
  • U.S. plays its group matches in Lodz and Sosnowiec, Poland.
  • Top two from each group plus four best third-place teams advance to knockout rounds.
What's Next

As the tournament progresses, the U.S. aims to leverage its experienced roster, including players who have previously competed in world tournaments. Potentially, they could advance deep into the knockout stages if they perform well in group matches.

Bottom Line

The U.S. Under-20 Women鈥檚 team, bolstered by standout collegiate talent, is poised for a strong showing at the World Cup. Their performance could have significant implications for the future of U.S. women's soccer at the international level.