Top Players Urge FIFA to Relocate U-20 Women’s World Cup

WHO:

The New York Times - Star women’s soccer players including Alex Morgan, Marta, Lindsey Heaps, Crystal Dunn, and U.S. youth captain Kennedy Fuller signed an open letter to FIFA.

The New York Times - Current and former U.S. women’s national team players and international stars including Brandi Chastain, Julie Ertz, Yui Hasegawa, Claire Hutton, Sydney Leroux, Vivianne Miedema, Hinata Miyazawa, Leslie Osborne, Alex Pfeiffer, Jaedyn Shaw, Danielle Slaton, Aly Wagner, and Sophia Wilson also signed the letter.

OneFootball - Brazil Women’s U-20 National Team is led by head coach Camilla Orlando.

WHAT:

The New York Times - The players requested FIFA to move the Under-20 Women’s World Cup to a date within an international window.

The New York Times - The 2026 U-20 Women’s World Cup kicked off on September 5 and concludes on September 27.

The New York Times - The U.S. lost to Italy 2-1, drew with Japan 2-2, and won against New Zealand 9-0 in the group stage of the 2026 tournament.

OneFootball - Brazil finished top of Group B with nine points after defeating Tanzania (4-1), Canada (3-0), and England (2-1).

OneFootball - The U.S. advanced to the Round of 16 as one of the best third-place teams with four points.

WHERE:

The New York Times - The 2026 U-20 Women’s World Cup is being held in Poland.

OneFootball - The Round of 16 match between Brazil and the United States will take place at Arena Katowice in Poland.

WHEN:

The New York Times - The U.S. will play Brazil on Wednesday, September 16.

The New York Times - U.S. Under-20 head coach Vicky Jepson announced her 21-player World Cup roster on August 19.

WHY:

The New York Times - The players argue that moving the tournament to international match windows would allow federations to select their strongest squads and support clubs in planning their competitive seasons.

The New York Times - The letter emphasizes the growth of women’s football and the need for alignment with the international match calendar.

HOW:

The New York Times - The players expressed their commitment through an open letter addressed to FIFA and the global football community.

(UPDATED September 16, 2026 02:04 UTC)

Star women’s soccer players, including Alex Morgan and Marta, along with current and former U.S. women’s national team members, have signed an open letter to FIFA requesting that the Under-20 Women’s World Cup be moved to a date within an international window. The tournament, currently taking place in Poland, kicked off on September 5 and will conclude on September 27, with the U.S. set to face Brazil in the Round of 16 at Arena Katowice. The players argue that aligning the tournament with international match windows would better support federations in selecting their strongest squads and help clubs plan their competitive seasons.