Mexico kicks off U-17 Women’s World Cup participation

They’ll face Chile in their next Group Stage Challenge.

RABAT, Morocco – The 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup action continued on Monday with Mexico making their Group F debut with a 2-nil defeat against Spain at Mohammed VI Football Complex in Rabat, Morocco.

Both teams started off strong, with Mexican goalkeeper Ania Lopez stepping up for her team, making a double save in the box from a free kick in the 14’.

The Spanish side opened the goal count in the last minutes of the first half as Carolina Ferrera was able to find the back of the net with a right foot shot in the area in the 42’.

Kemberly Garcia tried to even things out for Mexico in the first minutes of the second half, having a chance in front of goal that went off the post in the 48’.

Spain doubled their lead and secured the win just moments later, in the 48’, thanks to a left foot long shot by Elena Vizuete from the edge of the box.

Mexico will return to the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup pitch on Thursday to face Chile in their second Group F match.

Post-Match Data Spain vs Mexico

• Mexico are competing in their ninth FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, a record amongst Concacaf teams alongside Canada.
• Although it did not end in a goal, Mexico’s Kemberly García had the clearest chance of the match in terms of expected goals. Her shot at 47:08 had an xG of 0.57.
• At 16 years and 263 days, Ania López-Acuña is the youngest Mexican goalkeeper to have played in a match at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in the last five editions. Furthermore, and she is the first Mexican goalkeeper since 2018 to have made seven saves in a match in the competition.