The quarter-finals of the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup Morocco 2026 ended with two Asian teams in the last four. On 1 November, defending champions DPR Korea beat the USA 3-0 and Japan beat Ghana 1-0, the AFC reports. According to FIFA, Nigeria beat Venezuela 1-0 with an 89th-minute penalty and Brazil came from behind to beat China PR 2-1. DPR Korea will meet Japan, and Nigeria will face Brazil in the semi-finals.
DPR Korea chase a fifth title
FIFA reports that goalkeeper Avellina Saunders kept the USA level early on, saving a point-blank Yu Jong-hyang header and then her penalty. But Ri Ui-gyong opened the scoring in the 30th minute with a low drive, Ri Ye-rim added a second in the 45+4th minute, and Ri Ui-gyong struck again in the 56th minute from a Kim Won-sim cross. It was her fifth goal of the tournament and eighth in the competition overall.
The AFC notes that DPR Korea, winners of the last two editions, are seeking a record-extending fifth title. Coach Ji Yun-nam said: "All of our players played exactly the way we hoped against the US."
Japan end their quarter-final curse
Japan had gone out at the last-eight stage in each of the previous four tournaments. After a tight first half, Nanami Kurita scored the only goal in the 54th minute when a ricocheted effort from Yuka Kishida fell to her. Japan, champions in 2014 and finalists in 2016, are back in the semi-finals for the first time since 2016. Coach Sadayoshi Shirai said his players "carried the messages and feelings left behind by those who experienced those defeats".
Brazil and Nigeria complete the line-up
China PR went ahead through a fine individual goal by Wu Yichen in the 42nd minute. Brazil levelled just 42 seconds into the second half when Helena finished a Greise Kelly lay-off, and Helena won it in the 87th minute from another Greise cross. Nigeria reached the semi-finals for only the second time when Azeezat Oduntan converted a late penalty after Venezuela defender Migleydys Bolsegui was penalised for a foul in the box.
Quarter-final results, compiled by KBVN+ from FIFA and the AFC:
| Match | Score | Scorers |
|---|---|---|
| DPR Korea v USA | 3-0 | Ri Ui-gyong (30, 56), Ri Ye-rim (45+4) |
| Ghana v Japan | 0-1 | Nanami Kurita (54) |
| Nigeria v Venezuela | 1-0 | Azeezat Oduntan (89, pen) |
| Brazil v China PR | 2-1 | Helena (46, 87); Wu Yichen (42) |
What comes next
According to the AFC, DPR Korea and Japan meet in the semi-finals on Wednesday 4 November. The other semi-final is Nigeria v Brazil; the sources have not yet given its date.