The USYNT advances to U-17 Women’s World Cup Quarterfinals

The U.S. will play DPR Korea in the Quarterfinals.

RABAT, Morocco - The 2026 FIFA Women’s U-17 World Cup continued on Thursday with the United States defeating Spain 2-1 in the Round of 16 at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Rabat, Morocco.

The USYNT opened the scoring in the 43’ when Deus Stanislaus knocked in a high cross from the middle of the box, an overturned offside call following VAR review.

The United States doubled their lead in the 45+3’ as Maddie Dimaria wrestled off a defender and fired a strong left-footed blast from close range, earning her 12th of the tournament, making her the all-time leading scorer at a U-17 World Cup.

Spain scored their lone goal of the match in the 71’ as captain Vera Molina’s shot from outside the box deflected past the keeper.

With the result, the USYNT remains undefeated in this year’s edition of the tournament and advances to the Quarterfinals where they will face DPR Korea on Sunday.

Post-Match Stats United States vs Spain

• The United States have beaten Spain for the first time in the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup, following their 3-1 group stage defeat in 2024; this is their fourth victory against European opponents in the competition (W4 D3 L2).
• The United States scored two goals from just three shots on target against Spain today, becoming the first team in the current FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup to net at least twice with only three attempts on target.
• USA's Maddie Dimaria has scored in five different matches at the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup, netting one goal in 2025 and 12 in 2026; she is the third player to score in as many games since 2018, behind only North Korea's Kim Won-Sim (eight) and Yu Jong-Hyang (nine).