Overview of Returning Players at Morocco 2026
The Morocco 2026 U-17 Women's World Cup is set to showcase a remarkable blend of talent, with a total of 53 players returning from last year's finals. Among the teams, Morocco and Zambia stand out, each featuring eight players who bring invaluable experience from previous FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup tournaments. This influx of seasoned athletes is expected to provide a competitive edge and elevate the standard of play at this prestigious event.
Notable Players and Records in the Tournament
One of the youngest players to make her mark in this tournament is Ghana's Belinda Kpentey, who will only be 14 years and 54 days old during her team's first match. This young midfielder is among four players born in 2012 participating in Morocco, including her teammates Christiana Ashiaku and Mavis Koah, alongside Samoa's Peytton-Jo Poutalie Visan. In terms of experience, Mexico's Citali Reyes has already appeared in ten matches across the last two editions and is on the verge of breaking the all-time record for appearances in the tournament if she secures three more caps.
Furthermore, the tournament will feature nine squads composed entirely of domestic players, such as Chile, China PR, and Nigeria, showcasing the depth of local talent. In contrast, Samoa has just one player affiliated with a local club, indicating a potential challenge for their national representation.
On the coaching front, Japan’s Sadayoshi Shirai is poised to lead his team for the third time, aiming to surpass Kenneth Zseremeta's record for the most matches coached in the tournament. Meanwhile, Yu Jong-hyang from DPR Korea returns after an impressive performance last year, during which she clinched both the adidas Golden Boot and Golden Ball by scoring eight goals. She is just four goals shy of becoming the all-time top scorer in the competition.
The diversity in coaching is notable, with only five teams being led by foreign coaches, including England's Michael Cooper and Canada’s Jen Herst, each bringing their unique perspectives and strategies to the tournament. Additionally, four players are making their third appearance at the U-17 Women's World Cup, including Reyes, who is on track for a historic milestone. On the other hand, DPR Korea's goalkeeper Ryu Mi-hong is yet to make her debut on the pitch despite her participation in multiple tournaments.
Height also plays a crucial role in the competition, with Nigeria's Jane Ijirigho being the tallest player at 1.92m, while Kenya's Pauline Namisi holds the title of the shortest player at just 1.45m. These physical attributes could significantly affect the dynamics of gameplay and team strategies throughout the tournament.
As reported by fifa.com.
