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Mexico kicks off U-20 Women’s World Cup run with a draw 

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Mexico secured a 2-2 draw

Soto, Saldivar scored first goals for Mexico against Benin in Group A

KATOWICE, Poland – The 2026 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup kicked off on Saturday, with Mexico securing a 2-2 draw against Benin in their opening match in Group A at Arena Katowice in Katowice, Poland.

This was the first meeting between these teams, as Benin is making its tournament debut, while Mexico is appearing in its 11th U-20 Women's World Cup.

Mexico opened the goal count in the 21’ after a great collective effort that made them reach Benin’s box, Alice Soto ready to send the ball to the back of the net with a right foot shot.

El Tricolor kept pushing in the second half, doubling their lead in the 51’, Montserrat Saldivdar delivering a left foot shot that meant the second goal for her team.

Benin managed to pull one back in the 56’ after the referee called a penalty for a Noemi Villalobos foul in the area, with Romaine Gandonu making no mistake from the penalty spot.

Benin found the equalizer in the last minutes of the match, in the 87’, with Gandonu securing a brace through a right foot shot in the box.

Mexico will look for their first win in Group A on Wednesday against hosts Poland, who secured a 3-nil victory against Argentina in their 2026 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup debut.

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