The USYNT secures first point U-20 World Cup against Japan 

The North Americans split the points in their second Group Stage matchup.

LODZ, Poland – The United States continued its 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup campaign on Wednesday with a 2-2 draw against Japan in Group D at Stadion Miejski LKS Lodz in Lodz, Poland.

Ainsley McCammon opened the scoring for the USA in the 35’ with a header off a corner kick.

Japan leveled it in the 74’ as it capitalized on a takeaway and Natsumi Tago finished it off from close range.

The USYNT responded immediately just seconds later, in the 75’, when Alex Buck got behind the defense and fired home to retake the lead.

Japan kept fighting and found another equalizer by way of a curler from the edge of the box in the 83’ from Konoha Nakamura.

United States will continue its 2026 U-20 Women’s World Cup campaign on Saturday, September 12th, facing New Zealand at Arena Sosnowiec in its third and final Group D fixture

Post-Match Data

• This is the first time the United States has earned points against Japan in the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, following three previous losses. The Americans recorded 1.8 xG today, the second-highest xG total by any team against Japan in the last four editions of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup.
• Japan and the United States split possession, with each team holding 50%. The U.S. national team is one of two teams (along with Spain) that held Japan to less than 53% possession in three different matches across the last four editions of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup: 48.3% in 2022 and 43% in 2018.
• The United States has six different players directly involved in goals at the current FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup: Alex Buck (1G), Micayla Johnson (1G), Ainsley McCammon (1G), Linda Ullmark (1A), Kennedy Fuller (1A), and Emeri Adames (1A). Only Argentina has more, with nine players.