USA
How the team qualified: Finished top of Group C in 2025 CONCACAF U-17 Women’s World Cup qualification
Participations: Seven (2008, 2012, 2016, 2018, 2022, 2024, 2025)
Best performance: Runners-up (2008)
Coach: Katie Schoepfer
Player to watch: Kimmi Ascanio
Ascanio is no stranger to this tournament, having dazzled during the States’ run to third place at Dominican Republic 2024. She started all six matches, and netted her maiden tournament goal in the 2-0 quarter-final success over Nigeria. The combative midfielder is already a first-teamer at San Diego Wave, and will look to bring her wealth of experience to a talented USA side.
Ecuador
How the team qualified: Top four finisher in the South American U-17 Women’s Championship
Participations: Two (2024, 2025)
Best performance: Quarter-finals (2024)
Coach: Victor Idrobo
Player to watch: Jaslyn Valverde
Forward Valverde is another star who has previous on this stage, having appeared at last year’s event in her nation’s first finals. Despite being only 14, Valverde netted twice in the opening bout against Dominican Republic, helping to secure La Tricolor a place in the quarter-finals. A year older, and fresh from a four-goal qualifying campaign, she is certainly one to keep an eye on.
China PR
How the team qualified: Nominated by AFC based on performances from past three AFC U-17 Women’s Asian Cups
Participations: Four (2012, 2014, 2022, 2025)
Best performance: Group stage (2012, 2014, 2022)
Coach: Wang Hongliang
Player to watch: Zhang Kecan
The silky central playmaker was a key cog in China finishing fourth at last year’s AFC U-17 Women’s Cup which in turn helped the nation to qualify for the global showpiece.
Comfortable in either a deeper or more advanced role, Zhang possesses excellent technical qualities that allow her to maintain possession when under pressure in tight spaces. With fine tactical awareness and a gliding, languid, style of movement she has also demonstrated an ability to set up and finish scoring movements and profiles as a key central threat for Wang Hongliang’s side.
Norway
How the team qualified: Finished runners-up at the UEFA Women’s Under-17 Championship
Participations: First
Best performance: N/A
Coach: Eline Kulstad-Torneus
Player to watch: Marie Preus
Quick, strong and blessed with a predatory eye for goal, forward Preus showed all of Europe what she had to offer as she top-scored at the UEFA Women’s Under-17 Championship earlier this year. In Norway’s run to the final, she netted five times, including in the semi-final defeat of Italy and in the decider itself. Already a first-team regular at Norwegian top-flight giants Valerenga, Preus will be keen to further her reputation in north Africa.
