Argentina and Brazil have become the first South American nations to qualify for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Morocco 2026™. The pair sunk Venezuela and Chile respectively in the South American U-17 Women’s Championships to reach the tournament showpiece on 9 May.
In the first of the two semi-finals in the Paraguayan capital of Asuncion, Argentina pipped Venezuela 1-0 courtesy of an 88th minute penalty from captain Agustina Maldonado.
The second encounter saw record five-time continental champions Brazil pushed all the way to penalties by Chile after things finished 2-2 in regulation time. All four of those goals came in the second half, with Sofia Gamonal putting Brazil ahead six minutes after the resumption only for Chile to strike twice in four minutes midway through the term, via Amparo Abarca and Elisa Cornejo.
Seven minutes from time, Mariana Candido struck a fine leveller to send the contest to spot kicks, where Brazil emerged 5-3 victors; the impressive Nicolly converting the decisive effort.
The door remains open for Venezuela and Chile to qualify for the global finals. Colombia and Ecuador finished third in their groups during the opening round and will take on Venezuela and Chile respectively in a pair of play-off bouts for the final two tickets on offer.
Argentina and Brazil join the hosts, Canada, Mexico, New Zealand, Puerto Rico, Samoa and USA in reaching the 10th edition of the finals.
No South American side has ever won the U-17 Women’s World Cup, with Colombia coming closest by finishing as runners-up to Spain following a 1-0 final defeat at India 2022. The 2026 edition, which is the second tournament to have 24 participants, will run from 17 October to 7 November.
